Excavating Badger

Looks like a serious and very capable critter! I like the digging debris, the deadly looking claws and the low angle. The badger has its "game face" on!

Really cute - and wonderfully framed. I agree that the light does not look great, but it is good enough to show his expression very nicely. I don't think I can offer any suggestions, given the far from ideal shooting conditions!!!

Very nice. I actually like the light here. It looks cold, but then it was right? I find the background very pleasing and it matches the badger very well. The foreground with the loose dirt is perfect to show off the digging. The claw placement is great and again accentuates the digging. The big piece of dirt on the badger's eye is a bit distracting but it does fit into the overall story. Can't really say I'd change anything.

Clinton

Lon, there are some nice reddish/gold tones in this that give it a different feel from most badger shots I see. Nice close-up!

Max

Such a neat experience Lon, badgers are a critter that appeals to me very much for some reason. This is great with his expression, the debris from his excavating, and your low POV - plus you've caught the claws, which define this guy.

Well worth your time in the cold!

Lon,
This is very nicely done, given your circumstances with the weather. Over here it is the heat that bothers us
My only nit is the blue in the eye, but that maybe entirely natural

Beautiful image ...love the color palette in the frame ..nice one

Balan Vinod

patience and tenacity well rewarded Lon. This guy is clearly working on something serious.

Hello Lon

Way to go with this capture! Don't see many of these guys on NPN !

Like the capture and close look into its eye.

Only nit... Is I think the DOF is borderline on the eye? Claws and Nose are dead sharp but Eye seems a little soft.

Bill

Incredible detail - awesome perspective and I love all of the dirt on the badger. Really nailed this shot. How do you like the Tamron lens?

Hey Lon,

Sweet. I find all the mustelids interesting, and these guys have such interesting adaptations that they're nothing short of fascinating. Love the inclusion of the massive front claws and for me the "messy" face adds to the story (pretty hard to keep it clean when it's always shoving into the mud!).

Cheers...

Brad

Great pose n wonderful setting here !
Jagdeep Rajput

I especially like badgers and this one is a nice portrait. This animal is on my "All Madden" team with the loose dirt on the face. I would not remove that dirt below the eye because it is part of the story. The tip of the tooth, claws, and tack sharp face is ideal too ..............Jim

Hi Lon! Late to the party on this one but have been admiring it since you posted it. We LOVE badgers but they don't love us back (at least tangibly with decent photo opps!). IMO you pretty much made all the right decisions in the field here. I love the texture and detail of the dirt in front of the badger as well, but I'd say it's the killer look at the claws and great interest of the dirty face that make this extra-special. Background tones don't hurt a bit either.

Wonderful image. Love the composition, pose, and detail. Thanks for posting. Dave

Love this one! It's been a while since someone posted a badger image. I like the nice low angle. Great detail in this one. I love how you can see his claws, they're impressive!

What a beautiful creature, very nicely captured. Good stuff that you managed to get so close.
​Grt, Ingrid.