I spotted this whitetail buck in velvet during a May morning in eastern Oklahoma. He was feeding among young corn plants at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Whitetail Buck in Velvet Feeding Among Young Corn
The buck was standing deep enough in the corn to blend with the green leaves. His developing antlers still rose above much of the young growth.
I watched him pull at the corn leaves as he moved through the field. That caught my attention because the plants had already grown beyond the tender shoot stage.
The encounter took place on May 23, 2023, at 9:39 a.m. The corn was still low enough for a clear view of the buck’s head and upper body. Later in the season, the same field would provide much more cover.
Tall corn can hide nearly the entire deer. Sometimes I only see antlers, ears, or a small patch of fur between the leaves.
Photographing the Buck Through Growing Corn
The corn added depth and a strong sense of place to the photograph. It also made it harder to keep a clear view of the buck.
I photographed from a distance with a 500 mm focal length. That reach helped me isolate the deer without losing the surrounding habitat.
I used a fast shutter speed to hold detail as the buck moved and fed. The narrow openings between the leaves required careful timing.
Camera details:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/1600 second
- ISO: 1000, Auto ISO
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Focal length: 500 mm
The growing corn changes how I photograph deer at this refuge. As the plants get taller, I begin watching field edges and open strips near the trees.
Deer often become easier to see when they leave the heavy cover. Those transition areas can offer a better view before the animals settle down for the morning.
I photographed another Whitetail Buck In Old Cornfield during a different cornfield encounter.
This meeting showed how quickly a familiar field can change. The young plants gave me a clear look at the buck, but that opening would not last long.
I also enjoyed seeing how the deer used the field for both food and cover. Encounters like this keep me scanning every row, even when only a pair of antlers may be visible.