I’ve been spending a fair amount of time photographing at Point Reyes the last six months or so and hadn’t seen a badger until the other day when I spotted this one taking a rest on its diggings. For much of that period I wasn’t really focusing on looking for badgers, but after having a fair amount of success with my main interests, coyotes and bobcats, I decided recently to concentrate on looking for badgers. I was pleasantly surprised at how soon I spotted this badger. When I was in areas that had obvious badger activity I made sure I focused my attention on any signs of fresh badger diggings and on nothing else. Having said that, I’m sure luck was still the biggest part of the equation.
Some cows were grazing their way into its path and it decided to head underground to avoid getting stepped on. But for the cows I would probably have only gotten shots of the badger at rest. Unfortunately, it didn’t come up again before it got too dark to photograph. I came by the next morning at sunrise, but it wasn’t visible. It may have moved on, but I think it was underground. There were so many gophers making themselves visible while the badger was taking its rest that I doubt it needed to move on by the morning to find more food.
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Hi Jim! I just found your blog via a link on John Wall’s blog! I love the badger photos! The only badgers I’ve ever seen were in Pt. Reyes and once, sadly, I found an injured one on Pt. Reyes Petaluma Road between the Cheese Factory and Novato Blvd. You were so fortunate to get this sighting! Glad to see your work at the Wild Birds Unlimited store too! Maggie (Hungry Owl Project).
Hi Maggie. Thanks. Good to hear from you.
No way, Jim! Congrats! That is really awesome! They are such beautiful and interesting animals. Is this up in the Abbott’s Lagoon area of the park? I’ve seen a lot of what I assume to be badger burrows up that way, but I haven’t been this lucky yet. Perhaps its worth trying harder though to have a chance at something like this!
Hi Pat. Thanks. I’ve been told the big open area on the left as you hike out the trail at Abbott’s Lagoon is good for badgers. My understanding is that the grazing areas on the Seashore are full of gophers and other rodents and therefore those lands should all be good for badgers. This guy was between the F Ranch and the turnoff for Drake’s Beach. I’ve been told the grazing lands all along Sir Francis Drake Blvd. are good for finding badgers.
That is totally excellent, Jim. I’m stoked that someone has finally photographed badgers out there. Now I can really believe! 😉
Thanks John. They’re there, but I doubt I’ll see another soon.
I agree this is great news. I have been making a yearly trek to Yellowstone in search of badgers (and other things). Now, I just need to drive a few hours to try my luck.
Hi Alan. They’re difficult to find anywhere, but based on all the badger diggings I’ve seen at Point Reyes you have a good chance there.
Great shots…I’ve never seen a badger live! I’m very envious of your opportunity. Way to take advantage of a special chance!
Thanks John. I’ve only photographed a few. They’re nocturnal so best chance is early or late in the day.
Wow! I didn’t even realize we had them out here…! Last one I saw was back in Wisconsin (home of World-Champion Green Bay Packers!) – and that was in winter, while cross country skiing. It was feasting on a deer carcas, and frankly, that is one scary critter.
Hi Greg. Let’s not forget that Wisconsin is also the home of the UW Badgers (my alma mater).
So you know Mad-Town! One of my brothers is a Bucky-Badger. Quite something to see your photo!
Well, I knew Mad-Town well in the ’60s Greg. I’m a big Badger football fan. Go Badgers!