While exploring the diverse habitats of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma earlier this year, I was fortunate to encounter and photograph a unique white-tailed buck. On February 15th, I spotted this buck accompanied by five does, grazing in an overgrown field near the Reeve’s Boat Ramp.
What made this buck stand out was its peculiar antlers – it had a normal 3-point antler on one side, but the other side appeared to have been broken off. Additionally, its face was much whiter than a typical whitetail, with piebald-like markings. This rare coloration may have been due to partial albinism.
Photographing wildlife is always an adventure, and this buck proved to be a special find among the rich biodiversity of the refuge.
Spotting unique animals like this buck is one of the most rewarding parts of being a nature photographer. I feel fortunate to have encountered him in such an ideal setting. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge never disappoints when it comes to diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
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
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