I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge on February 15, 2023, and came across a whitetail buck that really stood out. He was moving with five does and feeding in an overgrown field near Reeve’s Boat Ramp.
Wildlife Notes
This buck caught my eye right away because of his antlers. One side looked like a normal 3-point antler. The other side looked like it had been broken off.
His face also looked much whiter than a typical whitetail. The markings reminded me of piebald-type patterns. I cannot say for sure what caused it, but partial albinism is one possibility.
Unique Whitetail Buck at Reeve’s Boat Ramp
The group stayed focused on feeding, and the buck kept close to the does as they worked through that overgrown field. It was a calm moment, and it gave me time to make a clean frame from the truck.
Photography Notes
To capture this photo, I used a bean bag to support my camera and lens over the open window of my pickup.
Gear and settings
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: February 15, 2023 (08:34 A. M.)
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/500
- ISO: 3200 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm
- Support: Bean bag on window
Why these settings worked
- 1/500 sec: Fast enough for a feeding deer, but still reasonable for morning light.
- f/7.1 at 500mm: Helped keep the head and antlers sharp.
- ISO 3200 (Auto): Let the shutter speed stay up without me fighting the light.
- Bean bag support: A steady, simple setup from the driver’s seat.
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Closing
I see a lot of deer at Sequoyah, but this one was different. Between the uneven antlers and the pale face markings, he is a buck I will remember.