BADGER

[gary ellwein]

Nikon D200, Nikkor 200-400mm, f6.3, 1/500, iso 400, 210mm, matrix, bean bag on truck window, mid day, cloudy

This female badger and her two cubs were encountered along a back country road on Memorial Day. In a matter of seconds the cubs were gone into a depression in the ditch. Mom immediately began to improve the new burrow. The pile of dirt in the photo was created in minutes. There was a second pile not in the image. She would alternate between digging and checking things out. The cubs did not reappear.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gary - Looks a little noisy in places - was the original under exposed at all? realise its a D200 but still wouldn't quite expect that much noise at 400 ISO - seems to be in the areas of shadow which makes me wonder if it was under?
Like the direct eye contact and the composition works for me.
Like it!!

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Gary Always happy to see badger images, tough to get !!!

Agree on the exposure, any under that you have to lift will introduce noise bit time !! Love the composition, direct eye contact and overall feel !!! ... those guys are digging machines !!!

[Julie Brown]

Great capture, Gary. I have never seen a badger! I like the dirt all over her face.:)

[Dave Mills]

Hi Gary, I too like the head on view with the subject well placed within the frame. The backround,while not blurred is not distracting to my eye since the subject is so dominant.
I like the fact you showed the mound of dirt which adds to the story...

[Harold Davis]

i'd rather see the dark shadows than the noise, if that's what caused the noise. besides, that face is enough for me!! so cute! arent these supposed to be mean?

[gary ellwein]

Hi Gary - Looks a little noisy in places - was the original under exposed at all? realise its a D200 but still wouldn't quite expect that much noise at 400 ISO - seems to be in the areas of shadow which makes me wonder if it was under?
Like the direct eye contact and the composition works for me.
Like it!!

Lance, your on the money. The chest was under exposed. I wonder if a bit of fill flash would have helped?

[gary ellwein]

An early image. Her ability to move dirt is impressive.