Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is the kind of place where almost anything can turn up. On one August walk, a wasp perched on a blade of Johnson grass became the highlight of my morning.
I go to Sequoyah to see whatever wildlife the day has to offer. Sometimes that means deer, coyotes, or waterfowl. Other times, it is a smaller subject that makes me stop and take a closer look.
Great Golden Sand Digger Wasp on a Summer Walk
When wildlife activity slows along the auto tour route, I like to get out and walk when access allows. One back road near Tuff Pond is open in late summer, but it closes to all visitors from September 1 through March 31. That August walk gave me the chance to explore at a slower pace and pay attention to what was along the road.
That is when I noticed an unusual wasp resting on Johnson grass. Its metallic golden color stood out right away. I took a few photos before it flew off, then planned to identify it once I got home.
After looking it up, I learned it was a Great Golden Sand Digger Wasp. It is a solitary wasp that digs burrows in sandy soil and provisions them with paralyzed crickets for its larvae. That small bit of research made the sighting even more interesting to me.
Photographing the Wasp Along the Tuff Pond Road
This was a quick encounter, so I had to work fast. The wasp stayed put just long enough for me to get a few frames before it moved on. Moments like this remind me that even a short pause can lead to a worthwhile wildlife photo.
The image was made at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma on August 11, 2022, at 8:05 a.m. I used manual mode and a long focal length to keep some distance between me and the wasp while still filling the frame.
Camera details
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date and time: August 11, 2022, 8:05 a.m.
- Program: Manual
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/2000
- ISO: 5000 Auto
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Focal length: 500 mm
Why Unexpected Wildlife Encounters Matter
One reason I enjoy walking Sequoyah is that I never know what I might find. I may head out hoping to photograph larger wildlife, but I am just as glad to come across something small and unexpected. This Great Golden Sand Digger Wasp was a good reminder that every outing has the potential to offer something different.
Encounters like this are easy to miss if I move too fast. Slowing down, stepping off the main route when access is open, and watching the small details can be just as rewarding as any larger wildlife sighting.
What a beautiful wasp, and I don’t say that about wasps often!