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Wednesday, 3 February 2021

A badgers trust

About twelve years ago a friend learned of my thoughts on animals trust in humans. He invited me to his home one very wet evening to prove my point. He often left food out for a local badger so I sat on his verander at the top of the steps leading down into his garden. He put some bits and pieces in a bowl and placed it at the bottom of the steps. I sat for no more than 10 minutes before a badger appeared out of the shrubbery saw me and wandered towards me.
Totally ignoring me it tucked into the food occasionally glancing in my direction, I was sitting no more than 2m away from it.
As you can see I was using flash which did not bother it in the least
It looked towards me several times but continued to enjoy his meal.
I had never seen this badger before and yet it was quite comfortable in my presence. When it had finished it just looked up at me and wandered off.

My thanks to the late great Mike Hall, a true friend, for this wonderful experience.
 

13 comments:

  1. Superb Mike. An experience I would love to have one day with these animals.

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    Replies
    1. That is what I aim to do every time I go out. Because wildlife has memories and they do remember you. Stay safe Marc.
      Mike.

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  2. Hi Mike, nature is fantastic. What a magnificent moment. Perhaps it thought, OK I get some food so it is not more than right that you get some pictures :))

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    1. Hi Lasse, Food is a most important factor in life, Give this to animals and you become a friend and remember you and I have had some sit and pose for me. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  3. Hi Mike
    I think the animals know exactly who wants to do them good and who wants to do them bad and that's the only way to develop such a species and to lose the shy of each other ...
    great experience, thanks for showing
    Greetings Frank

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    Replies
    1. Quite right Frank, all animals respond to kindness and importantly remember you. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  4. Hello Mike,:=) My goodness! What a great experience, one of many, because reading about trust, I am reminded of what you told me about the Little Owl, and how it recognised you, and wanted to snuggle up inside your jacket. That's not just trust though, is it,... that is more than trust. Aren't animals great!

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    1. Hello Sonjia, I remember the little owl well, and the last time I saw her she still remembered me and she behaved exactly the same but this time I had an audience and they could not believe it. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  5. Ohhh so cute... Have a great weekend Mike ☺️

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    1. Hello Ana,
      This is one of the many moments with my camera that I have enjoyed. Thankyou and stay safe.
      Mike.

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. Absolutely delightful shots, Mike. What a wonderful experience! I'd love to be close to Badgers like this. Sadly, I have not seen a live one for a while, but saw a dead one in a road close to home yesterday.

    Stay safe - - - Richard

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    Replies
    1. Hello Richard.
      Thankyou, The badger pops round now and then when it gets a bit hungry. I might sit up one night with my camera. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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Mike Attwood - Photographer

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About Me

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Evacuated during the second world war to a village in Yorkshire where I lived in the home of a good photographer for more than five years who taught me the basics and a great deal about nature. Well past retirement age I have been a wildlife photographer for more than 30 years. Red Kites have been my speciality for much of this period. I did spend several years snapping wheelchair athletes and organizing the British Road Race Championship. In the year 2000 I was awarded a distinction by the Royal Photographic Society for my portfolio on wheelchair athletes. Most of my pics are digital, using Sony cameras and Sigma lenses. I used to spend many weeks each year with friends in Wales which is close to the Elan Valleys where I got many of my raptor pics. I now get these pictures more closely to home, specially red kites and peregrines. I support my pension by selling my pics, cards, coasters, fridge magnets and key rings etc. at craft fairs, something I wish I had done much earlier in life. I give illustrated talks to clubs and societies on wildlife and other branches of photography that I have been involved in.