Brock

My first adult badger! Couldn't be more chuffed at the moment. The adults are now getting used to the regular handouts and, like Frederic's badgers, are coming out earlier to take advantage. This male is fairly relaxed, freezing momentarily to check for sounds. At this point I take a single shot. He is not at all alarmed by the shutter and happily continues to feed.

This session lasted about an hour as he came and went. We were both scared out of our wits when a roe deer came crashing through the scene! It is a dream location with dozens of spoil heaps, late flowering bluebells, and mossy tree stumps. I am mixing-it-up with the lenses and now using a 600mm to compress the field of view and try to isolate the badgers a bit more. I have managed to find one spot from where I can photograph 4 different stages using the 600mm. The plan is working well so far with the added distance allowing for careful manoeuvring without disturbance. Bliss!

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec
Aperture: f/4
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 400
Lens: 600mm

Congrats on your first adult capture Elliott

Fine result too!!

Great position captured, and a nicely framed/balanced composition into the bargain

I'm getting dead envious of all the recent badger/fox images, and this is up there with the best!!

Alan

Absolutely gorgeous!

I love the OOF FG as I think this sets it off. Its nice to see a 600mm Badger image instead of the usual 70-200mm. What sort of time did you take this out of interest?

Chris.

It is a nice picture Elliot, it does look very dark to me,or is it my screen?.
I do not understand the comment of Chris Lloyd?Why is it better to use a 600mm compare to a 70-200mm??For that kind of picture it does not seem to make any difference anyway .....(Except for the fact that you are further away)I maybe wrong?
Best wishes Elliot
Frederic

This was about 7:30pm, but the cubs and yearlings can be out any time in the afternoon. I've watched and mentally mapped all the spots that keep the light the longest and this is where I focus the feeding.

Hi Frederic. Its probably not the best example as the stingers are quite close behind but I have others where the badger really pops out.

Fantastic shot, no nits at all

Dan.

I like this one Elliott, really looking forward to more as the project progresses....

Echo those thoughts from Phil, you are duly proud of this great capture and your efforts have been rewarded. Well done and look forward to more.

Brett.

Hi Elliot,
I like the graded composition that leads the eyes to the deep.
The face is perfect exposed.
Have fun

Bertl Menegoni
Innsbruck
Austria

a lovely shot Elliott, I can understand your excitement. I look forward to seeing more.

Matt

Lovely shot Elliot. Whites are dead on to my mind and I think that the darker background gives a nice sense of dusk.

Malcolm

What Phil says, seconded!

Ian

Fantastic! Sounds like you've found yourself a wildlife goldmine!

Simon

Hello Elliott.

Superb. Love every thing about this one dont see how it could get any better.

Brilliant image Elliott - can't fault it - I was wondering if you'd get the big gun out

Grest colours, composition and pose from the Badger.

I like this very much. It's just like being there, peering over a mound and watching.

Regards

Really good shot well exposed and framed

Ian

Thanks for all the fantastic comments. Slowly building a good body of work at this sett, although I had my first no-show last night. The light was miserable anyway, but I just love to see them now.

Another superb badger shot and it's very intesting to see the difference in styles. Vive la difference. When do we get the first macro?
Eric

Projects like this can take toime to pay off, but looking like you've hit the ground running here, as well as catching the Badger bug!!

Away again next week but will be starting my sett the week after and can't wait!



Mark