I spotted a young cottonmouth while walking at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The small venomous snake measured about 10 to 12 inches long. Its defensive reaction reminded me to watch every step.
Spotting a Young Cottonmouth on Foot
I often begin my visits by driving the refuge’s auto tour road several times. After that, I park and explore some of the service roads on foot.
Visitors cannot drive these roads, but walking them can provide good wildlife photography opportunities. They also require extra care because venomous snakes live in the area.
I found this young cottonmouth on the north side of the road after making the first turn. Cottonmouths are also commonly called water moccasins.
The snake’s yellowish-brown bands and markings stood out on its small body. I photographed it briefly before it raised its head in a defensive posture.
That movement told me the snake knew I was there. I gave it the space it needed and avoided pushing the encounter any further.
Photographing the Cottonmouth From a Low Angle
I lowered myself toward the ground to photograph the snake from its level. I handheld my Fujifilm X-T3 with a Canon EF 100-400mm lens.
A Fringer EF-FX Pro adapter connected the Canon lens to the Fujifilm camera. The 400mm focal length helped me photograph the cottonmouth without getting too close.
My camera settings were:
- Aperture priority mode
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/280 second
- ISO: 2000
- Exposure compensation: +0.7
- Focal length: 400mm
Getting low created a stronger view of the snake and its surroundings. However, I stayed aware of its movements while making the photographs.
Giving Venomous Snakes Plenty of Space
Cottonmouths and copperheads are both found around the refuge. Tall grass and roadside vegetation can make either snake difficult to see.
An open mouth showing the bright white interior is a clear warning from a cottonmouth. The safest response is to back away and leave the snake undisturbed.
I had another memorable encounter with a Cottonmouth In Tall Grass at the refuge. Both experiences reminded me to remain alert while walking these roads.
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge offers many opportunities to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Some encounters require more caution than others, and this young cottonmouth certainly earned my respect.