Our local badgers have always been very shy and difficult to photograph, but that may be changing. Last night one of the two badgers that visits regularly decided that maybe I wasn’t such a great threat. It was already in the garden when I went outside, and retreated briefly while I went to put down some peanuts. But it was back almost immediately after I had stepped away. And it stayed, even following me down the garden path. Here’s the badger returning to the garden.
There was some mutual wariness. I am much bigger than a badger, but badgers have spectacular claws and very large teeth. We both agreed to keep a sensible distance from each other. The photos are all taken with a 200mm lens which was set to a minimum focus distance of 3.5 metres. The closest we came was probably around 5 metres, but the real gain was in being able to get some shots in slightly more natural surroundings.
This next one is just a shot with the badger on the raised rear patio, but note the second badger loitering to the rear. It was noticeably more cautious and didn;t venture forward while I was there.
This is another shot of the shy badger.
After 15-20 minutes, the bolder of the pair plucked up courage to venture down the garden towards me. I plucked up ‘courage’ to retreat a little further.
And a cheery farewell from a very friendly badger.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
derwandersmann
23 Apr 2015Most remarkable series, Words!
Words
24 Apr 2015dW, thanks! I’m really enjoying their company at the moment, though it would be nice to see a fox occasionally! Or some young badgers (I live in hope).
Darko
24 Apr 2015They are actually very beautiful animals. And, it is better for them to stay shy. They are wild animals, after all 🙂
Words
26 Apr 2015Darko, I’ve discovered that the shy one is the female (and she has had cubs). I’ve not seen them yet though.
Darko
29 Apr 2015Wouldn’t that be a treat!!!
Words
1 May 2015Hoping!