Spring always brings a few welcome surprises. One of mine came as I was leaving Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge when I spotted my first snake of the year crossing the auto tour road.
I quickly pulled my pickup to the side of the road, grabbed my camera, and photographed the snake before it slipped into the nearby brush. Moments like this rarely last long, which makes every successful wildlife photograph feel even more rewarding.
Eastern Garter Snake Crossing the Auto Tour Road
I found this Eastern Garter Snake on April 9, 2023, while driving through Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was steadily making its way across the road, giving me just enough time to stop and capture a few images before it disappeared.
Eastern Garter Snakes are among the most familiar snakes in North America. Their long, slender bodies and three light-colored stripes make them easy to recognize. They adapt well to many habitats, including wetlands, fields, woodlands, and grassy areas, so finding one at the refuge was not a surprise.
They play an important role in the ecosystem by feeding on small amphibians, insects, earthworms, and other small prey. Every encounter reminds me that even common wildlife deserves a closer look.
If you enjoy garter snake encounters, you might also like Excitement at Black Mesa State Park: A Garter Snake and a Toad.
Photographing an Eastern Garter Snake Before It Disappeared
Snakes rarely stay in the open for very long, so I knew I had only a few moments to work. After parking my truck, I moved into position and photographed the snake before it vanished into the surrounding vegetation.
The long reach of my telephoto lens allowed me to keep a respectful distance while filling the frame with the subject. Quick encounters like this reward preparation because there is rarely time to adjust once the animal decides to move on.
Camera Settings
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date: April 9, 2023
- Time: 10:31 a.m.
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter Speed: 1/2500 second
- ISO: 500 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: +2/3
- Focal Length: 500mm
Although I have photographed Eastern Garter Snakes before, no two encounters are exactly alike. Every sighting offers another opportunity to observe wildlife behaving naturally and to appreciate the incredible variety of species found in places like Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Finding this snake was a perfect reminder that memorable wildlife moments often happen when the day seems to be winding down. I was simply heading home when one more photograph presented itself.