Freedom for Badgers

Many moons ago I was invited by a friend to watch badgers on a local reserve. I jumped at the chance as it was a privilage to be admitted out of hours. He had scattered some peanuts in front of the hide. I set up auto-flashes that would fire at a signal from my camera, so I sat and waited and what an evening it turned out to be. When they appeared I thought the flashes would scare them off but to my surprise they were totally ignored. One came so close a board was missing by Jacque's foot and she felt it brush her ankle.

My camera equipment then was no where near the standard it is today so I was delighted with the results I got. I believe it was a 100m lens I was using so you can see they got very close and we were totally ignored.

I am afraid this event was a one-off and I never had the chance of repeating it. I have dedicated this post to the news that the government have decided to abolish the badger cull and vaccinate instead. I have put out a feast in my garden this evening for the badgers so they can celebrate.
Thankyou Jake.

Badger returns

 My garden has been very quiet for several months but I always leave a few dog biscuits around just in case someone gets hungry. I had noticed on a couple of mornings that the biscuits had been moved aroundand some were missing so I decided last night to put a camera out. to my surprise I captured this shot. Its a badger thats doing all the calling. So I have got myself something to do during lockdown.

It is not up to my usual standard in photography it was a filthy night with a lot of rain and this is the best shot that I got.

Ratty the water vole

Some years ago I was out walking with my camera when I came to a small stream. I noticed a little movement in the water and saw to my surprise a creature swimming. I realised I has spotted my first water vole. I kept perfectly still and it it carried on feeding and totally ignored me.

I watched it for a good ten minutes while it went about its business of feeding.

It swam up and down as though it was showing off.

In the end it came and sat on the grass not more than a couple of metres away and watched me.

I have had some strange experiences with wild animals but I think this one takes the biscuit. I went back several times over the following years but never saw it again.