While at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I saw a Three-toed Box Turtle crossing the auto tour road. I had my camera gear ready, so I stopped near the Sandtown Woods area and waited for a chance to get a photo.
I used a Fujifilm X-T3 camera with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens and a Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter. I rested the camera on a bean bag for stability. It was just after 6 a.m., and there was no traffic, so I had time to take a few shots without interruption.
Three-toed Box Turtles are common in forested areas of Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. They’re most active during early spring, summer, and fall. In winter, they hibernate underground. Their metabolism slows, and they can stay buried for months. Some even hibernate in groups—up to 30 turtles together.
In spring, they start moving again, looking for food and mates. They eat insects, worms, small fruits, and berries. Because they move slowly, they’re easy targets for predators like raccoons and skunks. That’s why it’s important not to disturb them.
I was glad to get a few photos of this turtle. I always enjoy seeing wildlife out in the open, especially early in the morning when it’s quiet. Moments like this are what keep me going as a wildlife photographer.
Camera Settings
- AV Mode
- Aperture: f7.1
- ISO: 800
- Shutter speed: 1/125 sec.
- Focal Length: 400 mm