I spotted this whitetail fawn grazing in a soybean field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. The young deer stood alert, its spotted coat bright against the green plants. I managed several frames before it bounded back to the tree line.
Wildlife Notes
Whitetail fawns are born in late spring and early summer across Oklahoma. This one was likely three to four months old based on its size and the spotted coat still visible. Those white spots serve as camouflage when fawns bed down in tall grass or brush.
Deer seek out soybean fields for good reason. The plants offer high protein content during summer and fall. Soybeans are a preferred food source, and whitetails will travel considerable distances to reach productive fields.
Fawn Behavior and Feeding
This fawn was grazing on the west side of the causeway. It stayed close to the tree line, which is typical. Fawns maintain that safety zone, ready to flee into cover at any sign of danger. I watched it nibble on the fresh green plants, ears swiveling constantly.
Fawns are curious but cautious. This one sensed my presence despite the truck serving as a blind. Its body language shifted from relaxed feeding to alert posture. Ears forward, head up, eyes locked on my position. Within seconds it made the decision to leave.
Photography Notes
I photographed this whitetail fawn with a Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM lens. The camera and lens rested on a bean bag draped over my open truck window. I kept the engine off to avoid spooking nearby wildlife.
Settings:
- Focal length: 800mm
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter speed: 1/400 second
- ISO: 6400
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Support: Beanbag on truck window
Technical Considerations
The high ISO of 6400 was necessary due to the lighting conditions. The f/11 aperture is fixed on this lens, which keeps it lightweight and affordable. That fixed aperture means adjusting ISO and shutter speed to get proper exposure.
A shutter speed of 1/400 second is borderline for an 800mm lens. I prefer faster speeds at this focal length, but the fawn was stationary while feeding. The bean bag provided solid support, which helped achieve sharp focus despite the slower shutter speed.
The truck served as an effective blind. Wildlife often tolerates vehicles better than people on foot. With the engine off and slow movements, I was able to observe and photograph without causing immediate flight.
I captured these moments from late morning into early afternoon. The fawn grazed for several minutes before my slight movement caught its attention. It bounded away with that characteristic white tail flagging, disappearing into the tree line within seconds.
These opportunities don’t last long. Patience and positioning matter, but so does recognizing when the moment has passed. I’m grateful for the frames I got before this young deer decided enough was enough.