I always enjoy finding small wildlife subjects that make me slow down and look closer. On a couple of visits to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I had the chance to photograph two butterfly species that brought plenty of color and detail to the morning.
Butterflies of Sequoyah Refuge in Spring and Summer
These photos came from two separate outings at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I photographed a Common Checkered-Skipper on April 11 and a Common Buckeye on July 12. Those visits added two more butterfly species to the ones I had already shared from the refuge earlier in the season. For another look at butterflies from this location, see my post on Butterflies at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
The Common Checkered-Skipper is a small butterfly, with an adult wingspan of about 0.75 to 1.25 inches. Its faded white coloring, tan bands, and black-and-white checkered pattern make it stand out when you get a close look. It is also a busy little butterfly, often darting around on sunny days while sipping nectar from flowers.
The Common Buckeye is a bit larger, with a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2.5 inches. What grabs me most are the bold eyespots on the wings. They are the reason this butterfly got its name, since the markings resemble the eyes of a buck deer. The mix of black, white, blue, magenta, orange, and green tones gives the wings a striking pattern, especially in good light. The species is a common sight in fields and meadows across much of the United States.
Photographing a Checkered-Skipper and Buckeye at Sequoyah
What I liked about both encounters was the chance to show off the wing patterns clearly. That is often what makes butterfly photography rewarding for me. A clean angle and steady moment can reveal details that are easy to miss when these insects are in motion.
Equipment Used
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Common Buckeye Technical Details
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date and time taken: July 12, 2023, 7:33 A.M.
- Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 5000 (Auto)
- Exposure compensation: +0.7
- Focal length: 500mm
I like using a long lens for subjects like this because it lets me keep some distance while still filling the frame with fine wing detail. In this case, the result was a close look at two very different butterfly patterns from the same refuge. The skipper shows a subtle checked design, while the buckeye carries bold circles and color. That contrast is part of what made these outings memorable.
Why These Sequoyah Butterfly Encounters Stayed With Me
Butterflies may be small, but they can leave a strong impression when everything comes together. On both visits to Sequoyah, I was able to capture the wing patterns that first caught my eye in the field. I feel fortunate anytime one of these little ambassadors of summer pauses long enough for a photograph.
That is one reason I keep returning to places like Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. You never know when a quiet walk will turn into a close wildlife encounter worth remembering.
Lovely, Steve.