I watched this whitetail doe stop cold and test the air at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. For a few seconds, she looked right through me. Her posture said she was deciding if I belonged there.
Wildlife Notes
This doe lifted her nose and sniffed, like she was sorting out a new scent on the wind. Deer lean hard on smell, so that head-high “scent check” can show up fast when something feels off.
Her ears stayed forward and open. Her eyes locked in, too. Those are simple cues I look for when a deer goes on alert.
I stayed put and let her make the call. After a moment, she relaxed enough to keep moving and feeding.
Photography Notes
I made this photo from the auto tour road while I was parked. I did not get out of the truck. That helped me keep the encounter calm and predictable.
For support, I rested the camera on a bean bag over the open window. It is a simple setup, but it keeps the lens steady without extra movement.
Gear and settings (from the shoot):
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
- Mode: Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/400 sec
- ISO: 1000
- Exposure compensation: +0.3
- Focal length: 400mm
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date/time: March 17, 2019 at 7:51 AM
The morning light stayed soft, which helped with fur detail and the warm grass background. I also liked the clean head angle and the direct gaze. It turned a quick behavior moment into a simple portrait.
Closing
Moments like this remind me that wildlife sets the rules. If I can keep my distance and keep things quiet, I usually get better behavior and better photos. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is a great place for that kind of slow, respectful observing.