Hmmm, just smell those snowdrops!

Something a bit different from last night's Badger watching session - my best yet with no less than 6 reasonable images from a 3 1/2 hour watch.

Same set up as before but in a different location - taken with Canon 7D, Canon 70-200L IS f/2.8 lens at f/8; 1/250th sec; ISO400 and using 580EXII and 430EX Canon Speedlites fired with ST-E2 Speedlite transmitter.

Very nice indeed, however as a gardener I would have liked to see the snowdrops in focus as well. but that is just my personal preference.

Nice control of the lighting - the image still feels like night-time. The debris in front of the badger pulls the eye a little - maybe a little 'gardening' before the next session? Nice image.

Cheers,
Chris

Cheers David - I'll see what I can do

And thanks for your comments Chris. "...maybe a little 'gardening' before the next session?" - funnily enough that's what the wife keeps telling me (and the debris has already been removed )

I like the composition,with the Badger higher in the frame,foreground leads you to the Badger

An attractive setting and an image that very much retains the night-time feel.

Hi Jeff, this is a great capture. Tell me how do you manage to Focus in the dark and also how can you see the Badger when it comes along. I am realy keen to know as i have found an active Badger sett.

I don't think it works really. The back end of the badger is cut off; the badger is lying down, presumably to eat the bait provided; both flash units are showing up as independent catchlights; the variagated shrub suggests an artificial environment; and the whites on the side of the face look blown on my monitor. Sorry to be so harsh, but if everyone else is just patting you on the back, maybe you won't bother to try harder.

Can see what Phil means, maybe a tighter crop, less of the badger. have to say I wouldn't have a clue how to set this up with the lighting so hats off to you, I'd be over the moon with it.

As I said in the opening post "something a bit different.." and clearly not of universal appeal but thanks for all the kind words, constructive criticism and other observations

John - I'll e-mail you in answer to your questions

Oh and Phil, the badger isn't lying down - their legs are very short and in this image they are hidden by the vegetation in the foreground

as someone who has never tried this sort of night time photography I'd say this has worked well, although clearly Phil's suggestions could improve it further. My only real nit is that I would prefer to see the whole badger.

Matt