Nature

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » 01 Jul 2018, 13:07

Saw my first (living) badger this morning!

I assumed they were purely nocturnal creatures, but this one was up and about around 9.00 am. It gave me an indignant look then scuttled off!

sixret · Post by **sixret** » 01 Jul 2018, 13:25

It must have wanted to go home and in a hurry because this badger was a naughty one! It would get the scold from its parents for coming home late!

Courtenay · Post by **Courtenay** » 01 Jul 2018, 14:05

How cool is that!

I've never yet seen a live one. Well done, Stephen.

Rob Houghton · Post by **Rob Houghton** » 01 Jul 2018, 15:59

Amazing - and very rare to see one out and about in daylight! I think I wrote on here once that we had a badger visiting our garden every night during the summer of 2016 (I think it was 2016 - time flies!). I had never been that close to a badger before, and it would literally come within four or five feet of me if I stood still. It used to grunt and snort its way around the garden, and would eat the peanuts which had dropped off the bird table - apparently they love peanuts. very special to see a badger and up until then, I also had never seen one live. Then I got sicx months of visits!

Then suddenly the badger stopped coming. Not sure why...maybe it was because my dad altered the garage doors and the badger could no longer crawl under them.

Post by **Anita Bensoussane** » 01 Jul 2018, 16:00

Excellent, Stephen!

Jack400 · Post by **Jack400** » 01 Jul 2018, 17:06

Courtenay wrote:How cool is that! I've never yet seen a live one. Well done, Stephen.

No- neither have I. Only seen them in book photos or on tv.

Wolfgang · Post by **Wolfgang** » 01 Jul 2018, 18:55

This spring a pair of swallows already raised three or four little ones in our drive-through. Now it seems they're preparing a second roosting time. The last two years they only roosted once a year.

number 6 · Post by **number 6** » 02 Jul 2018, 00:07

Well done on seeing your first live daylight Badger, Stephen! Badgers are mainly nocturnal, but can be seen out in daylight in undisturbed areas. I'm into my 4th week of studying a local Badger population, which has been blessed with superb weather conditions that's ideal for watching them! The Sett is very isolated & undisturbed, which means the occupants are usually out in good daylight. I've had some amazing sights, the best of which is having this years Cubs playing rough & tumble games yards from my feet, totally unaware of my presence! I've had some remarkable encounters with Badgers over the last 35 years of studying them, & I never tire of watching these beautiful creatures in the wild.

PS- To all, Please don't disclose the whereabouts of Sett's/Badgers to anyone, as there are so many cruel people out there that will bait them! Thank you.

number 6 · Post by **number 6** » 02 Jul 2018, 00:15

Wolfgang wrote:This spring a pair of swallows already raised three or four little ones in our drive-through. Now it seems they're preparing a second roosting time. The last two years they only roosted once a year.

That's fabulous, Wolfgang! I hope they continue to be successful.

Post by **Anita Bensoussane** » 02 Jul 2018, 07:40

It's great to hear about the swallows and badgers, Wolfgang and Number 6. Recently I was by the canal in Woking and saw a cormorant catch and eat a sizeable fish. The other day I also saw a heron fly down to a rock near a pool and stand motionless, gazing intently into the water, but although I watched it for a few minutes it didn't dive for a fish.

number 6 · Post by **number 6** » 02 Jul 2018, 11:04

Great sightings, Anita! Two impressive Birds. Cormorants are now a common sight up & down our in-land waterways.

I watched a family of young Stoats chase with each other in & out of the hedge bottom, last Friday morning. The fun spilled onto the lane, where lots of rough & tumble took place. Fortunately, the lane is a dead end & no vehicles use it. Incredible close up views.

Boatbuilder · Post by **Boatbuilder** » 03 Jul 2018, 01:41

One of my hobbies is photography and I enjoy the macro side of it. As this is a nature topic, here are some images I have taken of some of the bees that have visited my garden.

There is also a video here filmed in 40x slow motion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2rlIBY-yaA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Courtenay · Post by **Courtenay** » 03 Jul 2018, 06:02

Wow, that's amazing, Boatbuilder — the photos and the video!

Brilliantly done.

What's the music accompanying the video, by the way? I know I know it, but can't quite remember... is it Elgar?

sixret · Post by **sixret** » 03 Jul 2018, 06:37

The closed up photos and the video are stunning, John!

Post by **Anita Bensoussane** » 03 Jul 2018, 07:04

Super photos and video, Boatbuilder!

Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature

Re: Nature