I have read the several threads on badgers with great interest. Thought I would share my own attempts to photograph these facinating creatures this spring.
Location was College Barn Farm owned by Richard Butt. I am sure some of you may be familiar with it. Richard has several setts on his land and has set up two hides overlooking them. One is high (about 12 ft.) and gives a good view over the setts. The other is sunk into the ground. When you are seated your eyes are about a foot above ground level, and allows you to come face to face with the badgers. Both these hides have opening windows and the area in front is floodlit so cameras can auto-focus with ease. Both hides are equiped with car seats for ultimate comfort and there are even heaters under the seats! Richard has a mobile home which he rents out a 100 yards from the hides. Whoever is staying there has exclusive use of them.
The first of my trips was made in late february and the weather was bitter. A strong cutting wind and sleet and snow showers all night. I thought it doubtful any sane badger would show his head above ground! Richard had said they were used to being fed peanuts so I laid a trail from the sett to right up in front of the hides. Had only just settled into my seat when the first head popped up and took a sniff of the freezing wind. Soon there were six badgers above ground and avidly devouring the trail of peanuts. I froze in my seat as they came nearer and nearer hardly daring to press the camera shutter in case the flash spoilt this magic moment. It soon became apparent that the badgers were extremely tollerant and very used to being photographed. I took a large number of shots. With the aid of peanuts and peanut butter they can be persuaded to pose almost anywhere. Richard has positioned several dead fallen trees in front of the hides and the badgers are surprisingly agile, climbing with ease, following their nose to the peanut butter. The highlight of the evening was when sat in the lower hide a badger came right up and peered in, our noses 18 inches apart! Macro lens needed!
The second trip was made a week ago, it being early May the weather was much kinder. More badgers and more activity this time. I discovered I did not even have to be in the hide, if I stood very still and quiet I could photograph out in the open. I was very fortunate in being able to observe the cubs on this second visit, although I could only do this from the hide. It was well after midnight when the cubs appeared and they stayed very close to the set entrance. This was over 50 metres away and my flash will only throw just over 20 so the photographs have had to be over enhanced! Still better than nothing!
For those not familiar with Richards setup here is the address of his website:
http://www.badger-watch.com/
Bob.