I recently had a thrilling encounter with a North American Racer while strolling along the Horton Slough Trail at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. This elegant snake gracefully maneuvered through the vegetation, presenting a unique opportunity for me to capture its beauty.
Snake poised in an Upright Position
Gear Used:
Before I delve into the details of this exciting encounter, let me share the gear I used to immortalize this moment:
- Camera: Canon EOS 40D
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
The Moment of Discovery
As I ventured along the Horton Slough Trail on September 14, 2008, at 1:43:53 P.M., I stumbled upon this North American Racer. The snake had elegantly risen, arching its body to get a better look at potential threats. It’s fascinating how snakes adopt such postures to assess their surroundings.
Technical Details:
To capture this captivating moment, I used the following camera settings:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date & Time Taken: September 14, 2008, 1:43:53 P.M.
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec. (determined by the camera)
- ISO: 400
- Focal Length: 210 mm
These settings allowed me to freeze the snake’s graceful movement while maintaining a sharp focus on its intricate details.
Conclusion
Encounters like these remind us of the incredible diversity and beauty of wildlife in our national wildlife refuges. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for nature enthusiasts, offering opportunities to witness remarkable moments like this one.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my encounter with what I believe was an American Racer snake. Stay tuned for more wildlife adventures and photography tips. If you’re ever in the area, don’t miss the chance to explore this pristine refuge and its fantastic inhabitants.
Remember, nature is a treasure, and it’s our responsibility to protect and cherish it.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer