Whitetail Doe with Fawns at Sequoyah Refuge

Some wildlife encounters stay with me for years. This was one of them, a calm September morning at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge when a doe and her two fawns appeared near my truck.

The moment felt quiet and personal. One fawn came in close and looked my way, while the other stayed back a little farther. Their mother never seemed alarmed, and that gave me time to watch, photograph, and appreciate the scene.

Wildlife Notes on White-tailed Doe Fawns

This encounter took place on September 12, 2018 at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, in the soft light of early morning. The setting was calm, and that quiet start likely helped the family move through the area without much urgency.

The doe had two fawns with her, and each one reacted a little differently. One was curious and came within just a few feet of my position. The other stayed more cautious and held back. That contrast is part of what made the moment memorable for me.

Young white-tailed deer often rely on stillness, cover, and their mother’s cues as they move through a habitat. In this case, the doe appeared calm, and the fawns followed her lead. I can only describe what I saw that morning, but it was a good reminder that even within the same family group, each animal can show a different level of curiosity. This was clearly true here.

The close look from the bolder fawn gave me a frame I still remember. That direct glance carried the innocence of a young animal, but it also showed how quickly a simple roadside stop can turn into a special wildlife moment.

Photography Notes

When I head out now, I usually work with a Canon R5 Mark II and either the Canon RF 100-500mm or Canon RF 200-800mm, depending on distance and road conditions. For a quiet refuge drive, I try to stay inside the vehicle when possible, move slowly, and let the wildlife decide the pace.

For this 2018 encounter, the image data from the first photo shows I used the following setup:

• Date: 9/12/18
• Time: 7:28:09 AM
• Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
• ISO: 2000
• Aperture: f/5.6
• Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
• Exposure Compensation: 0.0

The light was limited, so the higher ISO and modest shutter speed make sense for the conditions. Shooting from the truck also helped me stay steady and less intrusive. With deer, that often matters as much as camera settings.

Final Thoughts

I have photographed a lot of wildlife at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, but this family group still stands out. The doe’s calm presence, the cautious sibling, and the one curious fawn all came together in a way I will not forget.

Moments like this are why I keep going back into the field. You never know when a simple morning drive will turn into a memory worth keeping.