I'd had rather a quiet day as things go, the highlight being nothing beyond a pair of peacock butterflies going through a very sedate mating ritual (or at least that's what I presume was going on). The passive butterfly eventually flew off alone, but it was interesting to watch the more active one flutter and nudge in the hope of a response. Beyond that, an occasional greenfinch and robin, but not even a distant raptor to draw the camera.
A late afternoon trip to Rottingdean produced next to nothing… even the fulmars were barely in evidence (I saw just one). We did have another fine sunset. I waited until just after the sun had disappeared below the horizon for this shot.
Tonight though was different. Stepping outside I noticed the infra red lights illuminate the trail cam. I couldn't see what had triggered it, but then heard some loud lapping from the water tray. I stepped forward cautiously. So did the badger!
We both nudged forward a step or two more.
Those are nasty looking wounds, probably the result of a fight with another badger. She (?) was moving freely though, and didn't seem unduly bothered by them.
She didn't stay long, retreating calmly to the rear of the garden and then navigating the border of the garden to exit through a convenient gap in the fence.
And then another occasional visitor appeared. This one was much smaller, but like badgers has a taste for peanuts. Yes, the wood mouse is back.
Camera note: badger and wood mouse shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The butterflies and sunset were photographed with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
SittingFox
26 Mar 2012I wonder if she has been chased out of a group. Perhaps she will take up residence in your garden!
That mouse is very cute 😀
derWandersmann
26 Mar 2012The mouse looks like our deer mouse, sometimes called deerfoot mouse.
One can only hope that those wounds heal up well … I don't like to see wounds around the neck, as it's too hard for the animal to take care of them, and they infect easily.
gdare
26 Mar 2012I think animals know that your garden is a safe place to stay. And heal the wounds :up: Nice to see that she is not afraid of you :up:
Words
28 Mar 2012dW, I've seen neck wounds like this before on a badger. Hopefully they will heal up ok. Badgers are extremely tough creatures so it may look worse than it actually is, but avoiding infection is important.
Words
28 Mar 2012Darko, I think she is a little suspicious of humans (fair enough!), but she must be aware of people. I imagine her sett is in a local garden somewhere.
Words
28 Mar 2012Adele, I doubt she'll make our garden her home (I shudder to think of the digging if she does!)., but she is a very welcome visitor.