I had one of those quick wildlife moments that makes me pull over fast and pay close attention. During a mid-April drive through Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted three large snakes coiled together on a clump of grass in the water, soaking up the sun.
Wildlife Notes on Diamondback Watersnakes
This sighting happened along the refuge auto tour route, where wetland habitat often creates good chances for reptile encounters. In this case, the three snakes were gathered in open sun above the water, a classic basking setup in a marshy area.
After I looked at the photo more closely, I identified them as diamondback watersnakes. These snakes are at home in freshwater wetlands, quiet backwaters, marshes, and lake edges, which makes Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge a good fit for them. The refuge sits near the confluence of the Arkansas and Canadian rivers and protects a mix of wetlands, oxbow lakes, and river habitat.
What stood out to me most was seeing three of them together on one small patch of grass. It was a brief encounter, but it said a lot about how rich this refuge can be for wildlife watching. Before long, they slipped away, and I was glad I got the shot when I did.
Photography Notes
I photographed this scene from my truck after stopping along the road. The beanbag over the truck window gave me a steady platform and let me work quickly before the snakes moved off.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Focal length: 800 mm
- Aperture: f/10
- Shutter speed: 1/1000
- ISO: 800
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Support: Beanbag Draped Over Truck Window
I liked the grouping here because the image tells the whole story in one frame. Three snakes, one clump of grass, still water, and spring light all come together cleanly. The elevated roadside angle also helped me separate the subjects from the surrounding water and keep attention on their coiled shapes.
Photographing Diamondback Watersnakes from the Truck
This was one of the highlights of my visit to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Encounters like this are why I keep driving the tour roads slowly and watching every patch of water. You never know when a small spot in the marsh will turn into a memorable wildlife moment.