This is the first badger I have ever seen in the wild. I had been told by a friend at the local bird club where to find them. So off I trot not knowing what to expect. In the end I ended up with a 70 - 200mm f2.5 lens on my camera. I did not know if flash would frighten them or not so went for available light. I waited for around 2 hours and this one ambled out stared at me and I got 3 shots of it before he decided he did not like the look of me and legged it, this is the best one.
I do know the pictures rubbish but its all I have got
So any advice/help as to photgraphing them would be very welcome.
Hello Ian
Welcome to the badger club! I think that for your first time it is very good! But your picture is showing a blue cast? The white are blue.
Best wishes
Frederic
For a first time shot - it is very good. But you need to be patient with badgers. If you blast them straight away they will be scared and they will remember it.
Nice shot.. Nits covered already and easily fixed. A few things which may help:
a) scatter some peanuts around
b) position yourself downwind and in front of a tree or bush to disguise your outline
c) as Elliot says, don't blast away. When the Badger comes into sight let him settle into peanut scoffing mode first. Once he seems settled, take one shot at which point he'll almost certainly put his head up and look towards you. Stay absolutely still and silent until he's resumed feeding for a while and then take another shot. With luck he'll eventually ignore the sound of the camera.
On the subject of Badgers and flash, I've only ever had the opportunity to photograph Badgers in total darkness (manually focusing by torchlight ). My impression is that the flash doesn't bother them.
The advice above is pretty sound, but it's a long-ish and patient game that's required, but well worth it as the badger addicts on here will no doubt testify to!!
Armed with this and a large bag of peanuts I was out again tonight, this time I had the great good fortune to see 4 adults and 2 cubs. The pictures are looking better .
Discussion
10 repliesI do know the pictures rubbish but its all I have got
So any advice/help as to photgraphing them would be very welcome.
Nikon D300 ISO 1600 1/40th sec @ f2.8 Sigma 70 - 200mm 2.8 50% crop
Regards Ian
Welcome to the badger club! I think that for your first time it is very good! But your picture is showing a blue cast? The white are blue.
Best wishes
Frederic
Very cute! Agree there's a slight blue cast!
a) scatter some peanuts around
b) position yourself downwind and in front of a tree or bush to disguise your outline
c) as Elliot says, don't blast away. When the Badger comes into sight let him settle into peanut scoffing mode first. Once he seems settled, take one shot at which point he'll almost certainly put his head up and look towards you. Stay absolutely still and silent until he's resumed feeding for a while and then take another shot. With luck he'll eventually ignore the sound of the camera.
On the subject of Badgers and flash, I've only ever had the opportunity to photograph Badgers in total darkness (manually focusing by torchlight
Paul
Tim
Dave
They usually have their nose to the ground !
JohnR
The advice above is pretty sound, but it's a long-ish and patient game that's required, but well worth it as the badger addicts on here will no doubt testify to!!
Mark
Armed with this and a large bag of peanuts I was out again tonight, this time I had the great good fortune to see 4 adults and 2 cubs. The pictures are looking better
Cheers
Ian
I would be well impressed if this was my first shot well done mate.
Ian Hardy