I spent a morning driving through the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I watched a young fawn walk through a field of yellow flowers. It leaned down and pressed its nose against a petal. It looked exactly like the fawn was giving the flower a kiss.
Wildlife Notes
While it looked like a kiss, the fawn was likely looking for a snack. Young deer are very curious. They often use their mouths to explore the world around them. This little one was probably testing the flower to see if it tasted good.
Fawns in Oklahoma are usually born between April and June. Their white spots provide great camouflage in the tall grass and flowers. This helps them stay hidden from predators while their mothers forage nearby. By the time they reach five months old, they lose these spots. Their coats turn a solid reddish-brown for the winter.
Photography Notes
I took this photo from the driver’s seat of my pickup truck. I used a beanbag on the window sill to support my heavy 500mm lens. This setup allows me to stay steady without a tripod. It also acts as a mobile blind. The deer at Sequoyah are often much calmer if I stay inside the vehicle.
I used my Canon EOS-1D Mark III for this shot. I set the camera to a fast shutter speed to catch the quick movement. The fawn did not stay still for long before it moved back into the brush.
Settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
- Lens: EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
- Aperture: f/5.0
- Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
- ISO: 1250
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Support: Beanbag on truck window
Closing
Nature always provides these small, beautiful moments. You just have to be in the right place at the right time. I am glad I was ready when this fawn decided to try a floral treat. It is a memory I will keep for a long time.