Badger Cub: End of a Chapter

The cubs are definitely altering their routine. They are out less and less in the daytime, but appearing after dark with their parents. It is a great shame for me that this part has ended, but I have captured some wonderful images, more than I could have hoped for. Hopefully it is a temporary glitch and I can blame the cool weather! I guess it is just the end of the first chapter.

I will be away in Mull for two weeks (after another easy subject - wild otters - why do I do it!?), then I will return to the sett and begin work on the night-time chapter. As much as would love to be able to photograph the adult's behaviour with just daylight, it is just not going to happen. And even if it did, the shutter-speeds would be so low that any behaviour and action would be a blur.

This is the last of the cub images for now. It appears to be the same cub that is always out first to the dining table (must be male). This fallen tree is massive and is propped up by a branch, so he is about 5-6ft off the ground! A very brave character. The light was pretty bad (it was nearly dark - check out the shutter speed), so the hues are pretty cool. I wanted to imitate a badger clawing to get into the bark for beetle grubs, so I pasted honey and peanut-butter onto the back of the broken branch. I wasn't after eye contact here, just the behaviour. I like the catch light and paw pressing on the branch. I've cloned out a stem of grass that stuck out from badger's butt.

C&C welcomed as always.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Time: 21:03:07
Shutter speed: 1/15 sec
Aperture: f/4
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative
ISO: 640
Lens: 600mm
AF mode: AI Servo AF
Gitzo Tripod & Black Widow Gimbal
Remote Lead

Another fine shot from this project Elliott.

A fitting finale Elliot

Good luck with those otters

Alan

Hi Elliott and have thoroughly enjoyed your badger images and look forward to seeing some of the otter images on your return.

Phil.

Ps are you going on your own to mull.

It's been a super series of images Elliott and this is no exception

Why do you do it? - because you love it, that's why!

Lovely photo, Elliott - I'm sure this isn't the last we'll see of this little fella! Hope not anyway.

Good luck in Mull


Simon

Hi Elliott,

This is another lovely photo and I've really enjoyed seeing the series. Hope your time with the otters is as fruitful!

Adam

Cheers for the comments guys. Hope its not the last too! Yes Phil, will be on my own in Mull - well for the 1st week. My gal is joining me for the 2nd week (once I have sussed out the otter locations of course!). Having seen John Wannop's shots from Mull, I really need to pull my finger out

For me this is the best so far.... perhaps a little oversharpened?

A great shot to end such a great series Elliot

Nice image Elliott

i'm looking forward to seeing your shots from Mull!!!

Kevin

a lovely image Elliott, I've also enjoyed your series of images.

I look forward to the otter images :-)

Matt

I have enjoyed looking at all these images taken in daylight. This is another fine shot, and I look forward to seeing otters and then more badgers.
Eric

A good finale to an excellent sequence.