Saturday 15 March 2014

A spiny encounter


On our walk yesterday, we came across this little fellow.

All together now, awwwwww.


Totally and utterly uninterested that we were there, this Echidna (aka Spiny Anteater) excavated the hard dirt with his/her very powerful claws, in search of a late afternoon snack - ants or termites probably, or maybe a tasty worm.

Hubby and Jack stayed well back, while I watched him in wonder, and was able to get quite close, as he was lost in his foraging.
After a short while, he set his sights on more humus (and insect) rich soil... across the road.

 Down the kerb and off I go.


He was happy to have me accompany him and watch for cars, blissfully unaware of the dangers. He had a firm idea of where he was going, and nothing was going to stop him. And, with those spines, who was I to argue?


This was one of those times I cursed that I didn't have my camera. I used hubby's iPhone, so some of the images aren't too sharp and, I never know where to put my thumb, hence the pink tinged shadow - sorry folks :)

Once safely on the other side, we left him, happily burrowing deep into what seemed the promise of a good meal.




What a fine encounter with one of Australia's wonderful inhabitants.





 

18 comments:

  1. Ooh, you commented on my blog while I was here on yours. I like those synchronous moments :)

    YOU ARE SO LUCKY! You draw animals to you - stick insects and echidnas! :)

    And yes, "Awww" is exactly what I said, haha. Isn't he or she just absolutely gorgeous? I love their colours. They are Hawthorn colours, now I think about it. Go Hawks! :P

    Sorry to bring sport into your nature worship. I'll try not to do it again.

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    1. Yes. Synchronicity - love it!

      He/she is really so sweet. I hope a good evening meal was had - especially if doing their part in eliminating a few termites.

      And, you can bring whatever you want to the comments table - I invite it all. It's always good to hear from you :)

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  2. He's so cute! I haven't seen one in such a long time...I'm glad you saw him safely across the road.

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    1. I'm glad we arrived at just the right time too :)

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  3. Lucky, lucky, lucky. Like River it is years since I have seen one - and I remember the day as a red letter one.

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    1. My heart lept when I saw him. I've never been so very close to an echidna. He almost walked over my shoe, he was that close.
      So exciting. I feel honoured :)

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  4. I've only ever seen an echidna in the wild once and I was so excited. They really are fascinating little crestures. I remember once seeing a picture of one of them investigating the camera equipment of a film crew at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. It was completely non-plussed by the people around it and went on busily twiddling knobs and totally involved in what it was doing. Great attitude!

    Here we get hedgehogs which are adorably cute but I miss that cute little snout. ♥ ♥

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    1. I agree about the attitude. They do seem completely absorbed in what they're doing. And, with that sort of "armour", who's going to stop them?
      Seeing his little snout up close and (almost) personal was a treat indeed. Very cute :)

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  5. Wonders
    :-) the photos are just fine...so much more so because they are in the moment :-) made my day...oh and the walking sticks I would have pull out of my shy shell to get a closer glimpse...I hope this posts as I am having a time with my tablet and clumsy fingers....I have to have a look again at this post...:-)

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    1. Your fingers are far from clumsy, Charlene. With the magic they create, they are anything but clumsy :)
      So glad you liked this little fellow. He was a very special treat to be so close to, and I'm glad I could share the experience.

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  6. oh my!
    if you can take that kind of photo without even a proper camera... i can't imagine one WITH it ! these are WONDERFUL! and he let you get so close to him! he knew you were a friend.
    and I love it that you protected him across the busy highway. i only hope he doesn't go back! such a fascinating little creature. beautiful too. xoxo ♥
    and TA DA!!! I finally had sense enough to subscribe. lovin' THAT! LOLOL. xo

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    1. Yay! That's great Tam :)

      He really was the cutest. Luckily, the road was a two lane road, not a highway. But, busy enough at certain times, so I kept an eye out for him. There is forest nearby and I suspect he travels this road a few times. Though, as it was entering a "busy traffic period", I felt I had to be crossing guard.

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  7. Wow! that is super cool! I have never heard of one of those. Do they shoot out quills like porcupines do when scared?
    I'll have to click on your link and check it out. I agree with the others, you've taken really good photos with the phone camera.
    What an amazing encounter indeed! So glad you were there to walk him across the road!
    :D

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    1. Hi Cynthia :) Those spines do look pretty formidable don't they?
      Their spines are attached, and don't eject. When echidnas feel "threatened", they will either dig very quickly into the dirt, or, on hard surfaces, will roll up into a ball exposing a very effective barrier to predators.
      They're good swimmers too.

      Sadly, their spines aren't effective against cars, and I'm glad I was there to be crossing guard that afternoon :)

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  8. Oh, so sweet!!! aaaaawwwww!!! :o) Wow... what a sweet encounter! So glad you were able to share this with us--a treat, for sure! ((HUGS))

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    1. Very cute huh? I'm glad too - my first up close and personal encounter with this Australian wildlife icon :)
      xx

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  9. Oh, too adorable! At first glance, I thought it was a hedgehog. Sadly, we don't have either here. I'm so glad you escorted him/her safely across the road, sometimes drivers just aren't as careful as they should be. I thought the photos were great...and I think I need to get a new phone!

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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    1. I guess they are kind of like Aussie version of hedgehogs, which are sooo cute too.

      I get very distressed when I see drivers careening around these forested roads. The wildlife saunter across in search of food and just can't match the speed of a car in order to move quickly out of the way.

      Camera phones are great - in a pinch. But, I still love my little handy digital camera :)

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