A July walk at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge gave me two butterfly encounters I was glad I had my camera for. One was a Red Admiral, and the other was a Pearl Crescent, both photographed on back-to-back days in Oklahoma.
Butterflies at Sequoyah Refuge in Late July
I visited Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in July and kept my camera ready as I hiked through the area. On July 22, 2023, I photographed a Red Admiral. The next day, July 23, 2023, I photographed a Pearl Crescent.
What stood out to me most was how different the two butterflies looked once I slowed down and studied the photos. The Red Admiral showed bold orange, white, and black wing patterns. The Pearl Crescent had a more delicate pattern, with orange and black markings and a pale crescent on the hindwing.
At first, I was not fully sure of the identifications. After I got home, I reached out to my friend Mia, a wildlife photographer who knows butterflies well. She helped confirm that the first butterfly was a Red Admiral and the second was a Pearl Crescent.
That small step turned the outing into a better learning experience for me. It also reminded me how useful it is to review photos carefully after a field trip.
If you enjoy this refuge as much as I do, you might also like this related post on the site: Butterflies of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Red Admiral and Pearl Crescent Identification Clues
The Red Admiral I photographed on July 22 had striking orange bands set against dark wings, along with white markings that made it stand out right away. It was a butterfly that demanded a second look.
The Pearl Crescent I photographed on July 23 had a very different look. Its black and orange pattern appeared finer and more detailed, and the pale crescent on the hindwing helped separate it from the first species.
Seeing both butterflies on consecutive days made the visit more memorable. It also showed me how much variety can be packed into one summer trip to the refuge. Even when the subjects are small, there is always something new to notice.
Photographing Butterflies at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
As a wildlife photographer, I try to stay ready for whatever shows up along the trail. These butterfly sightings were a good example of that. I was hiking, watching for wildlife, and keeping my gear close at hand when each opportunity appeared.
For the first photo, I used the following setup:
- 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: July 22, 2023, 7:33 AM
- Exposure mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/10
- Shutter speed: 1/800 sec
- ISO: 2500, Auto
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Focal length: 500mm
I like having reach for subjects like this because it lets me stay back and still fill the frame. That helps when a butterfly is active or does not stay in one place for long.
These two encounters also reminded me that photography is not only about getting the shot. It is also about learning more about the wildlife I photograph. Getting help with the identification made these images more meaningful to me, and it gave the whole trip a stronger story.
I am looking forward to returning to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge to see what other butterflies and insects I can find there.
Until next time, keep exploring and cherishing the beauty of the wild.
Love these photos, Steve. Glad I could help out with the ids.