First shot - chronologically speaking - in the current badger series. Badger contemplates the rolling red Toyota blind. The rest is mystery. “Men and animals regard each other across a gulf of mutual incomprehension.” - W.G. Sebald
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: American Badger Taxidea taxus wildlife animal mammal predator claws burrow prairie dog town mound wild prairie dogtown Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2024
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Six frames before yesterday's shot... the badger throws its head back and appears to be howling. But in reality, it was silent. The head roll and body roll followed.
These are selected frames, of course, as I was shooting in burst mode. I'm trying to pick the right ones for this set, but no doubt a few others will make their way into my "stream" in the future.
Look at those teeth and claws!
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: American Badger Taxidea taxus wildlife animal mammal predator weasel family silent howl behaviour wild prairie nature Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2024
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Two frames before yesterday's shot, the badger is about to roll over onto its back. Thanks to everyone who suggested what might be going on. Two or three weeks ago I did a web search on badger behaviour, and came up empty. Most of the web pages I found focused on its digging prowess, mostly-nocturnal habits, hunting skills, and even its affinity with the coyote - none of which apply to what I observed.
Although it wasn't my closest badger encounter this fall, it certainly was the strangest and most satisfying. Stay tuned for more...
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: American Badger Taxidea taxus wildlife animal mammal weasel family head roll eye contact behaviour behavior dogtown wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2024
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Perhaps my favourite wildlife moment of the year. I was shooting from the rolling red Toyota blind, and the badger watched me for some time, then determined that I wasn't a threat.
I had already shot more than 200 frames when it ambled over quite close, then went into a strange sequence: first a piercing stare, then throwing back its head in a silent howl, finally a head roll - eyes on me at all times - and finally this unbelievably cute pose as it rolled on the ground.
Maybe it was only scratching an itch, but that's an awfully vulnerable position. It reminded me of a baby badger I once saw playing with its siblings. Was this an invitation to play? I'd like to think so... although I know it's unlikely. Nevertheless, a jaw-dropping moment.
I should probably save this for last in the sequence, but I don't want viewers to get tired of badger photos before I get to it... so, next best option, show it first!
More to come...
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: American Badger Taxidea taxus wildlife animal mammal weasel family rolling claws eye contact close itch? play? wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2024 Explored
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Last shot (for now) of this badger. After it finished performing for me, it went back to its rounds and eventually retired underground. I don't know whether it was sleeping or making home improvements.
Its visit to the prairie dog town was not a social call. The prairie dogs were all on high alert, and with good reason: the badger is the only species here that can dig them out of their burrows. (Long-tailed weasels are able to navigate the underground tunnels at night and kill them while they sleep; when awake, prairie dogs are capable of fighting off a weasel. But there is no defence against the formidable badger.)
It's a jungle out there. Even in a place without trees!
Lots of badger shots still to come - from this encounter and others - but I want to move on to some different subject matter for the next few weeks.
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Tags: American Badger Taxidea taxus wildlife animal mammal predator weasel family on the prowl dogtown prairie dog town Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus rodent wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2024
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