It’s always a treat when I’m able to catch a glimpse of wildlife with their young, and earlier this summer I was fortunate enough to photograph a raccoon family at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Raccoon Family
Back in July, I was driving through the refuge when I spotted a mother raccoon and her kits near an area called Miner’s Cove. I quickly parked my truck and grabbed my camera, hoping to capture some shots before they scurried away. As luck would have it, the family was making its way across the road right in front of my vehicle.
I slowly stepped out, doing my best not to startle them. The mother kept a watchful eye on me as her kits wandered playfully along. I was able to fire off several photos before the little band made it safely across and disappeared into the brush.
Getting shots of raccoon families is rare, as the mothers typically keep their young well-hidden and away from roads or trails. But this encounter offered me a special glimpse into the close bonds these mammals share. Seeing the mother raccoon protectively guiding her kits was heartwarming, and I’m thrilled to have captured such a special wildlife moment. Moments like this remind me why I love photographing animals in their natural habitats.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: July 1, 2020 (07:16:45 A.M.)
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/850 sec. (as determined by the camera)
- ISO: 800
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 400 mm