American Badger at Her Den

Badger’s tongue up close – Nikon D810, FX mode, f10, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I didn’t expect to photograph an American Badger yesterday but I did! And from so close I could only take portraits of her at first. Her den was at the bottom of a hill on a narrow dirt road so I took a bunch of close up images of her using the FX mode in my Nikon D810 and I could have probably used more depth of field to get more of her in focus but I also wanted to focus on her eyes and then was pleasantly surprised when she stuck out her tongue. I never knew that the tip of a badger’s tongue was square shaped until I took this image.

Portrait of American Badger head on – Nikon D810, DX mode, f10, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Then I took a quick series of the badger in DX mode and I was happy when she faced me head on. It was already 11:30 a.m. when I took the images of the badger so the light was high, strong and it kind of washed out her colors.

I love badgers, so I don’t care. Besides, I only get this close to an American Badger about once every two years.

American Badger at its den – Nikon D300, f10, 1/400, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 135mm, natural light

After moving down the hill a little bit I finally grabbed my backup D300 with the 18-200mm VR lens attached to get a wider angle of the badger and her den. Not long after this image I left her to her peace and quiet.

Later I will post some images that will show why I knew she was a female. I’m pretty sure the American Badger at her den has cubs, they can have anywhere from one to five! I just hope that no one kills her because they consider her a pest.

Life is full of surprises. And it is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Badger photos plus facts and information about this species.

P.S. Heading home this morning, tired, dusty but happy.