I had an exciting wildlife encounter while photographing at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oklahoma. As I was sitting in my pickup with my camera resting on a bean bag draped over the open window, I spotted a familiar face – the same North American beaver I had photographed and posted about previously (North American Beaver Eating Water Plants).
This time, I just saw the beaver’s head poking out of the water as it swam directly toward me. It’s likely it was heading to a water release pipe that it had found. But when it noticed my pickup, it changed course and I lost sight of it below the water.
I was able to capture some great shots of the beaver’s head above water as it approached.
This particular beaver has made its home in an area of the wetlands known as Miner’s Cove. I’ve been fortunate to observe and photograph it on several occasions now. Beavers are such industrious creatures, constantly gathering food and materials to build and maintain their lodges and dams.
I feel privileged to have these close encounters with beavers in their natural aquatic environment. Slowly and quietly observing from my pickup allows me to witness their behaviors with minimal disturbance. I look forward to returning to the refuge soon to see what this beaver, and other wildlife residents, are up to.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon EF 800 mm f/11
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: August 22, 2021 (7:13 A.M.)
- Program Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/640
- ISO: 6400 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 800 mm