An overnighter at Banff north of Aberdeen to look at a job with Kevin brought an unexpected bonus. Staying at his business partner Daves cottage a few beers was followed by some of Scotlands favourite whilst outside only feet away from the window a Badger tucked into some left overs.
Apparently a nightly visitor from a sett just fifty yards away it hoovered up anything put down with the exception of potatoes and totally ignored the flash. In fact on visits earlier in the month it had virtually taken food from the hand and almost ventured inside the conservatory. Looking at the claws I wouldn't fancy too close an encounter.
Earlier in the evening as the light faded this juvenile was the first to show up padding up the drive sniffing the air as it came. I tried to get outside for some better shots but unfortunately was upwind and it just grabbed the food and headed off into nearby grass to eat it. I must have smelled rotten as apparently Badgers smell quite sweet!
After dark the adult was slightly more obliging but the youngster kept in the background when it was feeding. There must be large numbers in the area unfortunately highlighted by the numbers dead at the roadside.
Earlier on in the evening we had watched an Osprey hunting over the Deveron, one of the best Salmon rivers in the country. I was surprised that contrary to the hunting style of Ospreys I have seen previously, this birds hunting was done from the hover, presumably due to the restrictions imposed by a river valley. Lucky bird as humans have to pay hundreds of pounds per day for the luxury.
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