Driving along the auto tour road at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma always promises a unique experience. On one particular day, I was on the lookout for some interesting shots when I noticed a snake slithering across the road. Naturally, I stopped to grab a few photos. As I was adjusting my lens, I had an unexpected encounter that turned out to be the highlight of my day: a friendly Whitetail Doe.
This Doe appeared from a soybean field, and began feeding on the side of the road, completely unfazed by my presence. The doe was so close that I had to back up in order to capture a photo. As I watched her, I noticed that she was covered in scars and had two large blood blisters on her rump. Despite this, she was a picture of grace and beauty as she calmly grazed, occasionally glancing in my direction.
It was not just me who was in awe of this magnificent creature, as a couple in another car pulled over to admire the doe as well. I stepped back, giving them the opportunity to take their own photos. The doe, who seemed completely unfazed by human presence, walked up to the couple’s car and inspected them before gracefully walking into the trees and disappearing.
The encounter with this friendly Whitetail Doe highlights the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats, and the beauty that can be found when we allow ourselves to connect with nature. Whether it’s through photography or simply observing, these moments are what make wildlife photography such a rewarding and fulfilling pursuit.