I'm posting somewhat later than I'd intended. We've spent the past hour and a half out in the garden with the bold vixen. Once again she was napping at the bottom of the garden (I'm beginning to wonder how many photos of a sleeping fox I'll end up with), but this time a second fox made occasional forays at the rear of the garden clearly trying to figure out whether or not it should approach. It didn't, though it did edge forward a couple of times. Those photos will have to wait though… tonight is about the badger.
I was in the garden earlier in the evening. I'd put some peanuts down by the trail cam, and was lingering about 15 feet away. I could hear noises in the undergrowth, and after a few minutes a shape emerged from the shadows. 
I held my breath, fully expecting her to retreat. But she didn't. The temptation of fresh peanuts was clearly too much for this badger to resist. She came forward, and started crunching noisily through the treat.
She seems to be carrying the mark of a recent fight. There's a savage looking bite on her left shoulder. It looks quite nasty, and although I didn't sense that she was bothered by it the injury may account for her unusual boldness in her quest for food. Or she may just be getting used to me.
She stayed fully three minutes (ok, it doesn't compare with the foxes), and departed by walking past me down the path and out through the front of the garden.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.
gdare
20 Sep 2009Animals in your surrounding have found a shelter, an oasis in your garden. The only thing they have to do is to pose for your camera as long as they find it neccessary. In exchange for a safe and quite place, with enough food, it is not much of a bother :yes:
SittingFox
20 Sep 2009Wow, excellent! :yes: So much patience required for a badger…but your efforts with this one have really paid off. Those are great shots!
That wound is a bite from another badger, I guess.
Words
20 Sep 2009Darko, it's sometimes hard to keep track of all the animals that do use the garden. Apart from little bits of food, the only other concession is that we don't fix holes in the fences 😉 They seem to like it here, though apart from the bold vixen the others must have somewhere even better to rest up.
Words
20 Sep 2009Adele, yes a real treat . She noticed me when she emerged from the back of the garden. Her head went up in the way badgers do. But she carried on anyway :faint: The only time she was slightly cautious was when I moved my foot a couple of inches to get a better angle. That nearly spooked her. She was fine as long as I didn't move at all.
Dudley
20 Sep 2009Great!
RobinL
20 Sep 2009Lovely shots. She is certainly pretty. Except for the battle wound.
Words
20 Sep 2009Robin, yes it's a shame about the wound. Hopefully it will heal ok. She seemed lively enough though 🙂
Words
20 Sep 2009Andy, thanks!
Words
21 Sep 2009Mark, I'm terrible with names. Maybe I'll think of something if she keeps coming back. :sherlock:
Flying Red Fox Blog
21 Sep 2009Wow shes a sweet Badger hope her wound heals up soon! we should think of a name for her that would be cool. 😀
Words
25 Sep 2009Thanks, a real highlight for me 😀
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great