I always make a point to walk down the boat ramp at Reeve’s Slough in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Most of the time I am watching for frogs, but this time something else showed up in the clear water.
A Redear Sunfish swam up from the slough and seemed to check me out for a moment. With the gravel bottom showing through the water, I had a clean chance to make one quick photo.
Redear Sunfish Over the Gravel at Reeve’s Slough
One thing I like about the boat ramp at Reeve’s Slough is how far the gravel extends into the water. On a clear day, that makes it easier to spot movement below the surface.
That is what happened here. Instead of a frog, I noticed a Redear Sunfish moving over the rocks in the shallows. The fish came in close enough for me to get a clear view of its shape and markings before it moved on.
What I like most about this scene is the setting. The fish is not isolated against open water. You can see it in its habitat, moving across the gravel at the edge of the slough. That context helps tell the story of the encounter.
Photographing a Sunfish Through Clear Water
Clear water helped make this shot possible, but it still was not easy. Even when the fish is visible, water adds its own challenge. Light can reflect off the surface, and the subject can change position in a second.
I was hand-holding my Canon EOS R5 Mark II with the RF 200-800mm lens when the fish came in. I made the photo at 371mm, which gave me enough reach without getting too tight. The fast shutter speed helped freeze the moment before the fish slipped away.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
- Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
- Focal length: 371 mm
- Aperture: f/10
- Shutter speed: 1/2000
- ISO: 3200
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Support: Hand-held
- Date and Time: March 29, 2026, 10:51 A.M.
Why This Redear Sunfish Caught My Attention
I went down the ramp looking for frogs, which is usually the reason I stop there. That is part of what made this moment stand out. I got something I was not expecting.
It was a simple encounter, but those are often the ones I remember. A fish in clear water, a gravel-bottom ramp, and just enough time for one photo. That was all I needed.