Finally

I've lived in Cumbria for two decades. I've fleetingly seen a badger in the gloaming distance. I've wanted to see one in the wild for as long as I can remember.

I sadly see dead badgers all the time, round here badgers are persecuted horribly. Many of those dead on the road have been thrown there by people who've hunted them, often with dogs. *

So when I found what I was sure was a badger sett a few days ago I knew I had to go and watch for them. & yes I'd have looked a right lemon if it had been rabbits....
I read up - wear old not washed clothes, approach from up wind, no bright things, try and take the high ground, arrive an hour before the sunset and be prepared to wait. Plan.

So you can imagine my delight when the plan worked to perfection, with the added bonus that the badgers came out whilst it was still light. Just simply awesome to see.
Eventually I moved too much and spooked them - wow are badgers surprisingly fast.
Walked home under a fabulous sunset grinning from ear to ear.

* I'll be reporting this location to as many conservation organisations as I can muster.