I have just started constructing a hide at a new location to try to photograph badgers. There are a lot of badgers around here but most of the settes are quite small and un-photogenic so I've ben waiting to find one that I think may be succesful. As you know it is a long drawn out process so I thought I would post a shot of a very accomodating lady that I used to photograph before I moved to my new home. Unfortunately about two months before we moved she just dissapeared.
If I can habituate the local badgers to the same degree as 'Betty' I will be well chuffed as she was a real treasure.
EOS 20D, Sigma 24-70
1/60th @ f11 with flash.
Posted by Major Gilbert on February 19, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Crikey Robert what a thrill for you. I would be over the moon to get this. Well done.
Major.
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 19, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I'd be a bit pleased with this Robert
How many 'guns' are you using?
Posted by Mark Sisson on February 20, 2008 at 4:04 AM
Nice stuff Robert - major project for me this summer too.
Mark
Posted by Dave Courtenay on February 20, 2008 at 5:58 AM
Great when a badger plays ball which unfortunatly isnt very often-nice image-not long now before the new cubs will be out-cant wait
Nice set. If you have any tips as to how to get a badger to raise its head I would be interested in hearing them.
I like the setting a lot, how many flashguns did you use.
T
Posted by Paul Inglis on February 20, 2008 at 7:24 AM
Hi Rob,
Very nice, very nice indeed!
Posted by Michael Sayles on February 20, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Nice one Robert. I'll be going back to 'my' sett this weekend, after a winter break. Been photographing (and often just visiting) them for almost 3 years now.
As for raising the head Tom, either put peanuts on a log that it has to climb up (as in the pic above), or just make a kissing noise to attract their gaze (that's what I do anyway, lol).
Thanks for the kind comments folks. I used two flashguns on this, a 550EX and a 420EX. As for getting them to raise their heads, often a little whistle can do it. Of course it depends on the badger. A little whistle to some and they 'd be gone in a flash; others, like Betty here just keep looking for the peanuts and when they are gone she'd look up to ask for more!
Posted by eric weight on February 21, 2008 at 1:10 AM
That must be very exciting. It is a lovely shot. Not a criticism at all, but I can hardly remember seeing a badger shot that didn't look like it was shot on a set; presumably that is simply unavoidable having to use flash in total darkness? I really must make the effort to see these up close. Eric
You are absolutely right Eric most badger shots do appear 'set up' mainly because they usually are, as indeed was this photo. Hopefully I would like to get the residents of the new sette I'm working to be so habituated that they will come out when there is some daylight available to do some more natural shots. Not easy, especially as the settes are nearly always in woodland cover which cuts out whatever light might be available anyway. So I have a lot of long hours ahead of me!
Discussion
10 repliesIf I can habituate the local badgers to the same degree as 'Betty' I will be well chuffed as she was a real treasure.
EOS 20D, Sigma 24-70
1/60th @ f11 with flash.
Major.
How many 'guns' are you using?
Mark
Dave
I like the setting a lot, how many flashguns did you use.
T
Very nice, very nice indeed!
As for raising the head Tom, either put peanuts on a log that it has to climb up (as in the pic above), or just make a kissing noise to attract their gaze (that's what I do anyway, lol).
Good luck with your new sett Robert.