My Encounter with a Groundhog In Oklahoma
Wildlife photographer Steve Creek describes his quest to photograph a Groundhog near the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Groundhog Day: February 2, 2023
Groundhog Day is a time-honored tradition that takes place on February 2nd each year. The holiday has its roots in ancient European weather lore.
Groundhog On A Cottonwood Log
I almost passed by this Groundhog while driving the auto tour road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I got a glimpse of a tail and that made me stop. This is the first Groundhog that I have photographed at this refuge.
As soon as I spotted an animal tail near a downed Cottonwood tree, I stopped and waited. The Groundhog soon appeared to check for danger. I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.
Technical:
• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date Taken: July 19, 2020
• Aperture: f5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/125 sec.
• ISO: 800
• Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Focal Length: 360 mm
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)
• Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
Here is a photo I took of another Groundhog here in Arkansas that I posted on Groundhog Day: Groundhog Day 2020
Groundhog Day 2020
Today (Feb 2, 2020) is Groundhog Day and the Groundhog saw its shadow here in Arkansas. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow. According to legend, if he had seen his shadow it would have signified six more weeks of winter. He has only been right 40 percent of the time, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
