Yesterday, I made my way to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma at sunrise, hoping to photograph White-tailed Bucks. This time of year, bucks start sparring to establish dominance within their bachelor groups. Early sparring isn’t too intense—it’s more of a playful practice—but as the rut approaches, these encounters grow in intensity. I was hoping to catch some of this action on camera.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see a single buck. In fact, I only came across one doe during the entire trip. The refuge is still overgrown with Johnson grass and other plants, making it difficult to spot deer or other wildlife. However, I noticed that some of the fields are being plowed, so things should improve soon for wildlife visibility. While the bucks may have eluded me this time, I didn’t leave the refuge empty-handed.
Wildlife Surprises on the Roadside
On the side of the road, a Swamp Rabbit caught my eye, standing upright on its hind legs. It’s always a treat to see these critters up close, and I was able to capture a few good shots of this little guy before he hopped away.
When I first drove into the refuge, I was greeted by a pair of Mature Bald Eagles perched high on a dead cottonwood tree branch. Unfortunately, the light wasn’t great for photos, so I kept my fingers crossed that they’d still be there later. Sure enough, they were, and I was able to get a fantastic shot of both of them together once the light improved. There’s just something so majestic about seeing Bald Eagles, especially in pairs.
Walking the Service Road: Butterflies and Buntings
I decided to take a walk along one of the refuge’s service roads, which led to some unexpected wildlife encounters. First, I photographed two beautiful butterflies: a Variegated Fritillary and a Common Buckeye. The colors on these butterflies always amaze me.
The real surprise of the walk, though, was spotting a Female Painted Bunting. It might’ve been an immature one—it’s hard to tell sometimes—but either way, I was shocked to see it. I thought these birds would have migrated by now. Given the record-breaking high temperatures we’ve been having (in the 90s Fahrenheit), I’m wondering if that has something to do with it. Perhaps the warm weather is delaying their departure?
Other Birdlife
While I saw several other birds during my walk, the only photo I was particularly happy with was of a Lincoln’s Sparrow. This little bird was hiding in the brush along the side of the road, blending in with the foliage, but I managed to get a nice, clear shot of it after it moved to the top.
Conclusion
Even though I didn’t find the White-tailed Bucks I was after, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge never disappoints. There’s always something to photograph, whether it’s the stunning eagles, butterflies, or the surprise appearance of a Painted Bunting. It’s moments like these that remind me why I keep coming back to this incredible refuge—there’s always more to discover.
Note: Once again, thanks go to Mia McPherson for helping with the identification of the birds and butterflies.