Some experiences in the field almost feel like tall tales when I try to write about them. This road-crossing crawdad story from Sequoyah NWR is one of those.
Crawdad in the road at Sequoyah NWR – Samsung cell phone image
This tale began when my sharp-eyed and knowledgeable friend, Steve Creek, spotted and pointed out a crawdad crawling across the only section of paved road at the refuge. Once Steve stopped his pickup, we both jumped out with our cell phones in our hands to photograph the crawdad.
Crawdad at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Samsung cell phone image
I didn’t have my regular camera gear with me when I visited Steve. He had graciously loaned me his Canon R7, but that day it had the 800mm lens attached, which was too much glass for the crawdad. My backup Nikon D810 with the 18-200mm lens attached – the setup I would have used in this situation – was in Utah.
But, my cell phone worked great, and I took quite a few close-up images of the mudbug with its claws raised.
Steve Creek photographing a crawdad at Sequoyah NWR – Samsung cell phone image
Steve and I laughed a lot when we photographed the crawdad because of how silly we looked crawling around on the road with the crawdad. I decided to take a few photos of Steve, a master wildlife photographer, in action as he lay on the road to capture low-angle shots of the crayfish.
Note: Steve is 6’2″ for the purposes of size comparison. Great spotting, Creek!
Defensive crawdad in the road – Samsung cell phone image
I had a fantastic time sharing this crawdad experience with Steve at the refuge, as our combined laughter echoed through the nearby hardwood forest. When I came across these photos on my cell phone yesterday, I knew I wanted to share the images and the story behind them today. Head on over to Steve’s site to read his account of the road-crossing crawdad chronicles there. You’ll be entertained!
Life is good.
Mia
I will be adding these crawdad images to my aquatic life photo gallery when I have time. For the next few days I will be busy setting up my new laptop that I bought for more adventures from the road.
Wonderful pics! That tough little guy looks like he’s challenging you to cross the line. My granddaughter saw this shot and asked me if it was a baby lobster. So cool! Thanks Mia.
Thank you (and Steve) for my predawn smiles.
Great story and photos. I did not know they would go for a walkabout.
Talk about a fish…er…Crustacean out of water! What a hoot!
Crawdad comedic relief!!
Love the defensive position that looks alternatively like it’s either looking for a hug or hitchhiking along the road!!
Fun!-Jeri
What fun—and fun photos!