Just two days after I photographed a juvenile scissor-tailed flycatcher near Willow Slough (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Willow Slough), I had another close encounter at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. This time, the young bird was perched on a pipe fence in the Sandtown parking area, and it gave me a great chance to study and photograph it up close.
Young Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Near the Sandtown Parking Area
I spotted this young scissor-tailed flycatcher on August 29 at the refuge in eastern Oklahoma. The bird was perched out in the open on a metal pipe fence near the Sandtown parking area.
A fence is not my first choice for a wildlife perch. I usually prefer a natural branch or a patch of native cover. Still, I was not about to pass up this kind of opportunity. The bird stayed in place long enough for me to get a close look and make several frames.
Its age was easy to see. The tail feathers were still short, but the bird already showed the shape that gives the species its name. That early scissor-like form stood out right away.
This was the second young scissor-tail I had photographed that week. My earlier encounter happened near Willow Slough, and it made this one feel even more special. Seeing two juveniles in such a short stretch of time reminded me how rewarding late summer can be at the refuge.
Photographing a Juvenile Flycatcher from My Truck
The best part of this encounter was how calm the bird seemed. It allowed me to ease my truck forward slowly and get into a very workable position. That gave me a steady vantage point without pushing the bird too hard.
The pipe fence may not look as wild as a tree limb, but it did give me a clean line of sight. In wildlife photography, I have learned to stay flexible. Sometimes the setting is not perfect, but the behavior, the light, and the access all come together anyway.
For this image, I used:
- 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: August 29, 2023, 8:42 A.M.
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 400, Auto
- Exposure compensation: +0.3
- Focal length: 500mm
The long focal length helped me fill the frame while keeping a respectful distance. The morning light was soft enough to show detail in the plumage without looking harsh.
Why This Young Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Stayed with Me
What I enjoy most about moments like this is the chance to see a familiar species at an early stage of life. This bird had not yet grown the full tail that makes adult scissor-tailed flycatchers so striking, but the outline was already there.
That small detail made the encounter memorable for me. It felt like a brief look at a bird in transition, still young, but already showing the features it will carry into adulthood.
I also could not help thinking about what comes next. These young birds will not stay at the refuge for long. Before long, they will be on the move. I was grateful to have this chance to photograph one before that seasonal shift begins.
For me, this image is a good reminder that wildlife photography is not always about the perfect perch. Sometimes it is about recognizing the value of the moment in front of you and making the most of it.
I love this photo of the young Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.