Besides the too-cute coyote pups, I recently had another case of set serendipity in the Santa Cruz Mountains when a fine looking American Badger, Taxidea taxus, trundled into a scene.
The stealthy invisible-flash homebrew hack caught 4 photos at 8pm:
A Species of Special Concern in California, badgers are seldom seen in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With ground squirrels a typ top food source, they're mostly found inland, in Cali's large, open grasslands. And even out there, their populations are spotty.
So, an interesting catch and data point. Hopefully we'll see more.
But, in conclusion...
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References:
- Wikipedia - American Badger
- California Department of Fish & Game - Species of Special Concern
- Weebl's Stuff - Badgers
- Wikipedia - Badger, Badger, Badger
snake - horned viper?! looks like a toughie! and wow! badger! great catch!
ReplyDeleteI don't do this often but LOL. And congrats on the catch. In internet years it certainly qualifies as historic and should be of great interest to a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteLove badgers. Grew up in the Badger state...we don't have them in the southeast and I miss them.
ReplyDeleteNice cerastes pic! I've always wanted to see one.
Love the badger photos. My one and only sighting of a Badger was in the hills behind San Simeon, near Hurst Castle. Where did you photograph the Sidewinder?
ReplyDeleteHopefully I can get some more badgers in color this spring, even if it's down in the Tehachapis or like.
ReplyDeleteJK - glad you liked it (and got it).
John - the sidewinder was in the east Mojave.
The mushrooms are in the Santa Cruz Mtns.
I love badgers! Great shots! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete