Memories from Summer Badger cubs bounding

With Spring and Summer 2016 well behind us and Winter not far away, I took a look back to my memories of summer and one wild encounter I don't like to miss. On many a warm evening during the months of May to August I would head off through the countryside by canals and lakes to my secret Badger glade where I have spent many years protecting and photographing the clan here.

This year was so special as a pair of fluffy cubs seemed to be always out playing and looking for food while there parents slept and would often come out four a minute or two then return to the safety of the sett. Sometimes the sow would call the cubs underground if they started to go to far from the sett.

 Here is a few of my favorite summer photographs of the cubs before they became wary of these 2 legged creatures around there sett which I am always glad about as I know that human dangers may never be to far away.

 Sometimes they would stay hidden and a Badgers arse would be the only view as the sun fell

 They came close enough to film on our phones some days which was Amazing!!

I love the image below as it captures the Teen Badger cub on a moonlit night just emerging for a few hours of mischief and fun plus learning all the skills it will need to become an adult Badger.

Thanks for reading my blog
Stay wild, be happy and be safe

Mike

Otter signs aplenty

While out walking with my camera on my local patch lately I have seen lots of signs of Otter signs. I have still yet to see one swimming in the waters right on my doorstep my spirits are still high and I won't give up as I think I am so close. River kayaking with my DSLR is on the top of my list this summer especially on the early mornings when the mist is rising on the waters surface as the sun heats up the water.
Local lake on the outskirts of town

By the local canal

Hidden in a thick river blockage

Down by the river there are plenty of footprints and I always seem to miss the maker

An Otter I filmed on the River Dane a few years and I was bouncing of the walls when I got this piece of footage on a cold winters morning.

One day I'll get to see a Wild Otter right in front of me and I am sure it will be a moment to remember.

Thanks for reading my blog

Stay wild, be happy and be safe
 

Mike

Flash gets a new mate, is it Snow?

A week after Flash was released and he began patrolling his territory in his battle stance with his head up, wings high and body puffed up to make himself look bigger. It seems all his patrolling was not in vain as on Saturday morning we spotted him with a female with a tag. Hopefully in a few weeks he may have wooed this new mate and the cycle of breeding will begin a new which makes me happy to see him come back and achieve so much in a week!!!

My brother has sent her tag details off to the local Swan ringer to find out her history and if the female has only just been ringed or ringed in August 2014 then this female could be Snow who disappeared after going off onto the quieter river to moult her feathers. The female seemed to be very brave and not nervous at all as she seemed to be more confident than Flash.

If the information I get back backs up with when she disappeared then we will call her snow. My gut telling me it's her but we shall see as I could be wrong if it's not her then we need a new name hmm I am thinking either Flake or Elsa (Off Frozen)

I'll be back soon with more news on the Swans and other findings but until then

Stay wild, be happy and be safe

Thank you

Mike

Sun, wind and the possible return of Snow!!!

A great walk this afternoon as we finally found our missing male Mute swan Flash who's one of the main characters on my YouTube channel series and a bird I have been filming for a while. We found him on a small pool on the outskirts of my local patch with a female swan but as the pool is fenced off. I could not tell if the female was unringed like his previous mate Snow who disappeared in the summer months. I new it was Flash without seeing his leg tag as he responded to our whistles and came across from the opposite side of the pool to see us.

Hopefully they will return to there nesting area in the next month to begin there winter courtship and defend there territory before nest building in late February/early March in 2015.

So stay wild, be happy and be safe

Mike