I had a nice surprise on a recent visit to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. A bobcat in corn stubble is not something I see every day, especially this close to the road. This encounter reminded me why I keep driving these loops, even on quiet mornings.
I was on the south side of the refuge, easing along the auto tour road and watching the edges. A strip of harvested corn caught my eye, so I glanced over and froze. A bobcat was standing in the open stubble, staring across the field toward the road and right toward my truck. I was heading east, so the cat was on the passenger side, only a few yards from my open window.
The light was not ideal and I knew it. But with wildlife you take what you get. I grabbed the camera, braced it, and started shooting before this rare Sequoyah bobcat decided it had better things to do.
The cat began to move, slipping through the broken stalks as it slowly scanned the ground. It never hurried. It just worked its way along the field, pausing now and then to look and listen. After a few minutes it angled toward the tree line and melted into the woods like it had never been there. My heart was still pounding.
Wildlife Notes
Bobcats are one of the more secretive predators I see in eastern Oklahoma. They are medium sized wild cats, with a short “bobbed” tail, tufted ears, and a spotted coat that blends well with dead leaves and crop stubble. Even in an open field like this, the pattern on this cat broke up its outline enough that I almost missed it at first glance.
They are usually most active around dawn and dusk, but I often spot them on the move in the morning, especially near edges where woods meet fields. A harvested corn strip like this offers good hunting. Rodents and rabbits like to feed in the leftover grain, and the cat can move quietly between the stalks while staying fairly hidden.
This individual looked healthy, with a thick coat for late November and a solid build. It was very focused on the field in front of it, not on me. My truck acted as a blind, which helped me watch without changing its behavior. After a short scan of the area, it followed the natural line of the field toward the trees and disappeared into cover, which is typical bobcat behavior once they have checked an area for prey or threats.
Encounters like this are not common at this refuge. I can go many visits without seeing a bobcat at all, so any sighting is special. Having one stand in the open long enough to photograph feels like a gift.
Photography Notes
Shooting from the truck gave me two big advantages. First, it acted as a blind, which kept the bobcat relaxed. Second, it gave me a solid place to brace the long lens. I rested the lens on the window frame to steady it, which helped keep the image sharp at 1/800 second with that much reach.
The light was a challenge. Late morning sun and a bright field of dry corn stalks can confuse a camera meter. I added +0.7 exposure compensation to keep the bobcat from turning into a dark silhouette against the pale background. Even so, the contrast was strong, so I focused carefully on the cat’s head and eyes and fired short bursts to improve my odds.
If I had been able to choose the light, I would have preferred earlier in the morning with softer side light. In real life, though, bobcats do not schedule their walks for golden hour. The important thing is that I was ready, the camera was within easy reach, and I made quick decisions instead of worrying about perfection.
Image Information:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm f/11
- Date and Time Taken: November 22, 2023 (10:22 A.M.)
- Aperture: f/11 (Fixed)
- Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec
- ISO: 1600 (Auto)
- Exposure Comp: +0.7
- Focal Length: 800mm
Closing Thoughts
I am always grateful for time at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, but mornings like this one feel extra rewarding. A brief meeting with a wild bobcat in corn stubble is enough to keep me coming back, mile after mile along the auto tour road.
While I may wish for better light, I am happy with this image because it documents a real encounter with an elusive animal. The cat’s posture, the short tail, the patterned coat, and that direct look toward the truck all take me back to the moment.
I am already planning my next trip to the refuge. Out here in Oklahoma, you never know what might be standing in the next field when you ease around the bend.
Lovely photo of a rarely seen beautiful creature. I occasionally see bobcats when walking in a nearby state park in New Mexico and seeing one is always a thrill as you observed. What a gift these surprise nature sightings are to us all. Thanks for documenting and posting.
How wonderful!