Sandias at sunset
We ran in David, one of our ditch bank buddies, on the way down to check on the owls. We saw him again on our way back, and he mentioned that he saw Madge the Badge and attempted to talk to her, but she slipped into her hole. When we got to Madge’s mound, we said, “Hey, Madge! It’s us. Are you coming out?” She popped her head up immediately, crawled out of her hole, and posed. Laurie asked her if she was a model, and she was like, “Duh! Isn’t it obvious?” She recognized our voices and came out to visit. She’s very intelligent. If you are wondering how I know Madge is a female. I don’t know what her sex is. I’m gendering her as a female because I like the name Madge the Badge.
“You called?”
I thought Madge was talking to us without making noise. But when I processed the photos, I could see she was chewing on something.
A Black Headed Grosbeak (top) and a female Western Tanager (bottom)
Black Headed Grosbeak
Female Western Tanager
Western Bluebird
I’m not sure what Osric Owl had in his talons, but it could be the tail feather of a Cooper’s Hawk.
Nora Owl was on her favorite perch.
Willa looked disgusted that Water was nowhere to be seen.
We hadn’t seen Wile E. in a while.
Off Center & Not Even 
For many years I have enjoyed the relationship you seem to have with so many of the Bosque animals and birds.But Madge the Badge is the one that amazes me the most (today, at least). Until you posted the first pic, I didn’t even know we had badgers in the Bosque.
Of course I am also enjoying the owls, birds, other animals, all the flowers, the skies, etc…
Thanks, Susan. I didn’t know we had badgers until a few years ago. They are amazing animals.
Nice to see with Madge a new star shining among your animal actors!
We’ll see how long she stays in that den. Thanks, Heidi.
What a hoot–seriously your wonderful ‘menagerie’ is. Madge the Badge is epic. She is looking as if to say obviously she was eating….
She was very accommodating to come out and model at mealtime. Thanks, Shey.
You were lucky Timothy,
Madge the Badge [what a model!!!], Wile E., Owls, Bluebird, Grosbeak, Tanager and me enjoying painter’s [and paparazzo] offerings!
She’s a great model and entertaining. The Betty Boop of badgers. Thanks, Marina.
A ha ha, yes!
Wow, so many marvelous sightings 💚
Thanks, Robie. Have you thought about making a badger cake?
I haven’t because we don’t get them here. It’s a good idea. I could make a Wind in the Willows cake with a badger.
That would be perfect.
Madge knows how to work it for the camera!
She is clickbait in the literal sense. Thanks, Liz.
You’re welcome, Tim.
Beautiful post. Love Madge. I’ve never seen a badger. The owlets are always adorable an foxes are beautiful. You get to see so many wonderful things.
Thanks, Gigi.
Great pics Timothy, we rarely see owls here , I was shocked to find the little Screech owl ! Madge is a fine specimen. Enjoy the day!
Thanks, Holly.
Many things to appreciate here. Thank you, Timothy!
You’re welcome, Michele. Thanks, for dropping by.
My treat! 🙏🏻
I think Madge the Badge has a most compassionate face, don’t you? I was curious if we had any in Canada and we do… but not in Quebec.
Love all the birds, owls and how nice to see Wile E. again!
No badgers up your way? Darn! Thanks, Dale.
Not a one! Ah well… thanks to you, we get to see Madge!
What a feast of nature, Tim. Thanks for the great shots.
I agree with Inchie, Tim, that was a beautiful set of photos you served up! You and Laurie have a rapport with the creatures of the bosque which is wonderful to see. Makes it look like everything is right in the world, at least in your corner.
Thanks, Lavinia.
That’s really cool that Madge responded to your call! We haven’t seen our coyotes lately, either, so I’m wondering if they are in mating season or nursing their young.
Thanks, Dawn. I haven’t seen as many coyotes. They are probably nursing. Young.
Okay,Madge is special! I wonder if there will be Madg-ettes?
Osric with. that feather is most imposing. I wonder how he got it and if he’s holding it as a trophy/warning?
Plus Wile E., birds, Sandias, what a great day xo. Thank you, Tim!
Probably both for Osric. I don’t really know what sex Madge is. There cold be some Badgettes in the future. Thanks, Resa.
I just love watching the wildlife population grow! xx
It’s a Wild, Wild Life. I’m sure I asked you this before, have you seen David Byrne’s movie True Stories (1986): https://youtu.be/11q4P8WVXEA?si=5vVck5W9DyxN83Wf
Love this video! I have seen it before. Movie? Maybe not.
The movie is worth seeing. Byrne really hits on a lot of interesting aspects of culture.
He is definitely an interesting person. He had a Emmy nom last year for a special he did. I saw a bit of it, and should finish watching.
I just saw that he won an OSCAR for soundtrack on “The Last Emperor” WOW!!!
He has 11 wins &26 noms…. WHEW!
That’s a lot of wins. Wow! Is right.
So much beauty and so many wonderful things to see! 🙂
I saw a badger and a wolverine fight each other for like 3 hours. There were no winners that day, but no one got hurt too badly either.
Also, I notice crows and owls don’t get along too well either… sup with that?
Crows don’t get along with any of the raptors. Crows pester them and try to kill their young. If a crow messed with the owlets, daddy owl would make sure they had crow for dinner. I saw a murder of crows attacking a red-tailed hawk once. The hawk just flow through the attack. Badgers and a wolverines are tough. Thanks, Craig.
You are seeing all the good birds as of late – just got the Black-Headed Grosbeak for the first time this year down in the RGV and totally missed the Western Tanager – did get the Western Bluebird while up in Vegas back in January. Can you go ahead and add that Tanager into the box along with the Lazuli – that would be delightful hehehehe. Only a stupid Cooper would come close to a GHO.
Cooper’s Hawks don’t seem to be the brightest of the bunch. Osric looked like he had a Cooper’s Hawk tail feather in his talons the other day. We have lots of Western Tanagers right now. I’ve also seen the Summer Tanagers, but they are more flighty. The Western Bluebirds are not camera shy. Thanks, Brian.
Gorgeous photography … yes Madge sure is posing! What a glamour …
Thanks, Julie.