From Hogs to Horned Owls: A Morning Adventure

I had another fantastic day yesterday (July 11, 2024) at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Just like all my previous visits, I started my day by driving the auto tour road at sunrise, always hoping for some wildlife action to photograph. This time, I decided to take the auto tour road clockwise after reaching the 4-corner intersection.

Morning Surprises: Wild Hogs and Whitetail Bucks

The first sighting of the day was a large group of wild hogs in a cut wheat field. I managed to get a quick photo before they noticed my truck and ran off. Continuing west on the road, I then spotted a large group of bachelor Whitetail Bucks at the edge of another field. These bucks were towards the back of the field, and they seemed to be watching the hogs as they entered the same field. It was interesting to see how the bucks cautiously walked out of the field into the woods, keeping an eye on the hogs. The hogs eventually moved into the woods as well but maintained some distance from the bucks. I quickly snapped a photo of some of the bucks, but unfortunately, about seven of them had already vanished into the woods before I could get them all together.

A Slow But Scenic Drive

I continued my clockwise journey around the auto tour road, observing lots of wildlife but not getting many photo opportunities. Sometimes, that’s just how it goes in wildlife photography—plenty to see, but not always the right moments to capture.

The Moody Boat Ramp Road Adventure

Upon reaching the 4-corner intersection again, I decided to head straight (south) onto Moody boat ramp road. When I reached the boat ramp (which is a dead-end), I turned around and began driving back towards the intersection. It was here that I photographed a small five-lined skink on a log near the boat ramp.

The Great Horned Owl Encounter

Things got really exciting just a few hundred yards down the road. I saw a Great Horned Owl fly up from the ground and land nearby. I parked my truck and began photographing the owl as it stood in the field. After several minutes, the owl took off, flying to a nearby tree. I managed to capture some incredible shots of the owl in flight.

For those who might not know, while Great Horned Owls primarily hunt from perches, they are known to occasionally hunt on the ground. They might walk on the ground to catch prey like rodents, reptiles, or amphibians.

Wrapping Up

I may not have taken many wildlife photos on this trip, but capturing a Great Horned Owl is always worth the journey. And photographing one in flight? That’s a bonus I’ll treasure. Sometimes, it’s not about the quantity of photos but the quality of the moments you experience.

Have you had any memorable wildlife encounters recently? Share your stories—I’d love to hear them!