Mark Garrett

Just happy to observe the natural world, but its a bonus when a free creature comes close.
Now on bluesky.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

@SamCannonArt The power of the free sultanas. My blackbird steps out in front of me just like a mini highwayman.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Trying to sit unnoticed at the edge of a small wood and being called out by a passing Roe deer. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

A small active sett found whilst surveying last week ahead of the heatwave. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Moonless nights this week so the infra red light was needed to "see" the badgers under the trees, even though they are just three metres away. The colouring was left to the computer. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

The badgers emerge an hour later than they did last year, by then the robins have stopped singing and it is dark. Colourised infra red image. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Watching each entrance at the sett, this one is new and possibly a detached nursery for cubs, no sign of them yet.
#badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

An infrared photograph of one of the badgers coloured on the computer for fun, but then finished using AI as my efforts are still in their infancy. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

These two badgers are from the same clan and they emerged just ten minutes earlier from the same entrance yet the bigger one decided to show some dominance and test the other badger's level of submission. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Making the best of the moonlight to watch two badgers at a sett entrance. They have moved along this last week and have been busy refreshing the underground chambers. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

The badgers at this sett have moved north by 100m, it took some thinking and a second visit to catch up with them. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Just one badger stopping for a peanut before trotting off into the darkness. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Badger art on the beach. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Great to see the badgers out, they are cautious this time of year and the wet weather hasn't been any help. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

#badgermonday sett checking, the fresh spoil was very obvious at this entrance.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

@pekingfrog @ingham_mal Are the squeaks from the cub? Something must have made the sow think the cub needed to be moved.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Sett surveying on a #badgermonday and a foraging dig so recent it was still dry.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

@intheflowerbeds It is the time of year with the greatest sense of mystery.

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Taking advantage of a few peanuts then diving back down into the sett at full speed. Have the cubs been born early? #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

Most of the time the badgers are accepting of my quiet presence but I remain sensitive to behaviour and occasionally I have to move back and watch from back row, giving them their space. Here is one taking a quick look and going back underground. #badgermonday

[Mark Garrett @badgermoon]

A late post for #badgermonday at the end of an afternoon walk looking for signs of wildlife. A hollow under a hedgerow tree complete with some dry grass bedding. A cosy stopping point away from the sett.