I completed my new badger hide today so thought I would post another old shot of Betty.
Canon EOS 20D
70mm end of Sigma 24-70
1/100 sec @ f7.1
Flash
Old log as prop and dog biscuit!
I spent an hour and a half or so in the nearly completed hide last week for the first time, just to avoid one of those social evening type thingys that the missus enjoys so much!
I wasn't expecting to see anything and certainly had no intentions of taking a camera. However within twenty minutes of settling in (this was about 7pm) a large boar badger could be heard and just about seen, chomping on the peanuts. I had to strain my senses to follow him and was then delighted to see (well hear more than see) another coming towards the nuts. I thought this is great and then it all kicked off. The first badger launched itself at the second and they were fighting like hell. They rolled down the bank into some bramble and at this point I thought to hell with it, I'm putting the torch on to see properly. I was fully expecting them to break up and scarper but they completely ignored the light and carried on fighting. It was a hell of a ruckus, they were making a right racket and biting lumps out of each other. At one point they stopped and stared each other out and I could hear them both gasping for breath and then they were at it again. This went on for about 10 mins until one managed to back off enough to be able to turn and run. The larger boar chased after it and I could hear them at it again further down the wood and then it went quiet. I thought that was one heck of an introduction to the new sette and was about to pack up when the big boy came back and started on the peanuts again. I tried him with the torch thinking that now he isn't fighting he would probably run when the light came on but no, he totally ignored it again and I had the pleasure of watching him hoover up the nuts for another half hour or so.
Looking forward to getting camera gear set up in a few weeks although knowing my luck that is probably the last time I'll see a badger there.
Posted by Major Gilbert on March 16, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Cracking shot Robert and great story line.
If that nose had just been above the brim of the hollow it would be even better.
Well done Robert
Must be the first badger image of the year, I have been feeding them here for the last month so will start after easter, Cant wait as its one of the highlights of my year-Nice set up as well
Hello John,
I usually put out about a half dozen handfuls of nuts and spread them all over the ground. In particular I put it in any leaf litter that is around the sette as this helps to hold their attention for as long as possible as they then have to search it out. I have never used a container as I believe they would just guzzle it down and be off. I hope this helps.
Posted by jack chapman on March 17, 2008 at 1:27 PM
very nice set-up you've got here, the shot is great
Posted by Stuart McCrae on March 17, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Very nice,and it's good to see one thats not on the side of the road
Discussion
12 repliesCanon EOS 20D
70mm end of Sigma 24-70
1/100 sec @ f7.1
Flash
Old log as prop and dog biscuit!
I spent an hour and a half or so in the nearly completed hide last week for the first time, just to avoid one of those social evening type thingys that the missus enjoys so much!
I wasn't expecting to see anything and certainly had no intentions of taking a camera. However within twenty minutes of settling in (this was about 7pm) a large boar badger could be heard and just about seen, chomping on the peanuts. I had to strain my senses to follow him and was then delighted to see (well hear more than see) another coming towards the nuts. I thought this is great and then it all kicked off. The first badger launched itself at the second and they were fighting like hell. They rolled down the bank into some bramble and at this point I thought to hell with it, I'm putting the torch on to see properly. I was fully expecting them to break up and scarper but they completely ignored the light and carried on fighting. It was a hell of a ruckus, they were making a right racket and biting lumps out of each other. At one point they stopped and stared each other out and I could hear them both gasping for breath and then they were at it again. This went on for about 10 mins until one managed to back off enough to be able to turn and run. The larger boar chased after it and I could hear them at it again further down the wood and then it went quiet. I thought that was one heck of an introduction to the new sette and was about to pack up when the big boy came back and started on the peanuts again. I tried him with the torch thinking that now he isn't fighting he would probably run when the light came on but no, he totally ignored it again and I had the pleasure of watching him hoover up the nuts for another half hour or so.
Looking forward to getting camera gear set up in a few weeks although knowing my luck that is probably the last time I'll see a badger there.
If that nose had just been above the brim of the hollow it would be even better.
Major.
Must be the first badger image of the year, I have been feeding them here for the last month so will start after easter, Cant wait as its one of the highlights of my year-Nice set up as well
Dave
Lovely story and superb capture! I'm looking forward to this series!
John
I usually put out about a half dozen handfuls of nuts and spread them all over the ground. In particular I put it in any leaf litter that is around the sette as this helps to hold their attention for as long as possible as they then have to search it out. I have never used a container as I believe they would just guzzle it down and be off. I hope this helps.
I take your point about the dissappearing nose. Here is another take.
Robert