The Story Behind the Photo: A Unique Whitetail Buck at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
On February 15, 2023, I had the opportunity to capture some stunning shots of a Whitetail Buck at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Accompanied by five Does, this Buck was spotted in an overgrown field situated near the Reeve’s Boat Ramp.
One peculiar characteristic of this buck was that it had a 3-point antler on one side, while the other side seemed to have been broken off. Additionally, its face appeared much whiter than usual, almost resembling a piebald.
A Unique Whitetail Buck
Here are some interesting facts about piebald deer:
- Piebald deer, also known as “pinto” or “calico” deer, have a genetic condition called leucism that causes some or all of their hair to be white, while their eyes and skin retain their natural color. This condition is different from albinism, which results in a complete lack of pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes.
- Piebald deer are relatively rare, occurring in only about 1% of the deer population in the wild. However, they are more common in some regions, such as the Southeastern United States.
- The white patches on piebald deer can vary in size and location. Some piebald deer may have small white spots, while others may be mostly white with a few brown patches. The pattern of white and brown on a piebald deer is unique to each individual, much like a human fingerprint.
- Piebald deer are not always fully white; they can also have brown and white patches, or even black and white patches. These variations are known as “partial piebalds” or “mosaic deer.”
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
To capture this photo, I used a bean bag to support my camera and lens, which were positioned over the open window of my pickup.
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: February 15, 2023 (08:34 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/500
- ISO: 3200 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm