Some mornings at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge feel extra special. Even now, I still think about one pair of whitetail fawn twins I photographed years ago.
Lately, I have noticed fewer twin fawns than I expected at the refuge. Twins are not rare for whitetails, so I am still hopeful I will spot a pair this season. This older encounter is one of the reasons I keep watching.
Wildlife Notes
I made these photos at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, in an area known as Goss Field. It was August 2009, and the twins were relaxed and feeding together.
What I remember most is how comfortable they seemed with each other. They stayed close, ate side by side, and looked completely at ease. That twin bond is part of what makes moments like this stand out.
These fawns still had their spotted coats, and they carried that wide-eyed, curious look young deer often have. I also photographed each fawn by itself, because their expressions and markings were a little different.
If you like seeing fawns interact, here’s another post you might enjoy: Fawns Grooming Each Other
Photography Notes
I photographed the twins from inside my pickup. I rested my camera and lens on a bean bag in the open window. That setup kept me steady and helped the deer stay calm. A vehicle can work like a simple mobile blind.
Photo 1 settings (provided):
- Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
- Focal length: 400mm
- Aperture: f/5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/1000 second
- ISO: 800
- Exposure compensation: 0
For Photos 2 and 3, settings are available on request.
Closing
I feel lucky any time I get to watch young whitetails up close, especially twins. I have not seen a pair yet this season at Sequoyah, but I will keep looking. When it happens, I will be ready.