Yesterday, Steve Creek and I found a Striped Skunk in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, and we both jumped out of his truck to take photos.

Striped Skunk in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaStriped Skunk in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1250, ISO 800, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 371mm, natural light

We both noticed right away that the skunk had variant coat colors—there was a rich, almost cinnamon-brown coloration on their back near the tail, where Striped Skunks are typically black. The tail also caught our eyes and wasn’t quite typical.

Striped Skunk walking on a gravel road, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaStriped Skunk walking on a gravel road – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/2500, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

We also both noticed that the skunk’s left eye appeared to have a milky-looking cataract.

Our friend Brett drove up and stood a distance behind us to photograph the skunk and said he was ready to photograph us if we had gotten sprayed. When he told Steve and me that, we all laughed.

I should mention that the skunk never showed any signs of being alarmed or uncomfortable with us around.

While the skunk was on the road, it looked like it might walk right up to Steve.

Striped Skunk walking towards me, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaStriped Skunk walking towards me – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/2500, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

Thankfully, the Striped Skunk turned and headed back toward the field and didn’t spray any of us! I can’t imagine what it would have been like to ride an hour in Steve’s pickup if either or both of us had gotten sprayed!

Striped Skunk with variant coat colors, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaStriped Skunk with variant coat colors – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1600, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 340mm, natural light

It was a bit sad when we realized this skunk was missing its right eye—there was just an empty socket in its place.

Despite that, its ability to survive with one missing eye and impaired vision in the other says a lot about its resilience. Skunks rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to navigate and forage, so it’s possible it has adapted well its eye conditions.

This was the first time I’ve had an opportunity to photograph a skunk at the refuge, and I had fun taking these images.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view my Striped Skunk photo gallery plus facts and information about this species.