platypus !

[kareina]

While on our walk to our local waterfall today baronsnorri, who has eyes that are not only quick, but calibrated to Australian wildlife, spotted a platypus in the creek, playing/feeding happily in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

This is the first time I've ever seen a platypus in the wild, and only the second time I've ever seen one at all. The other time was during my first visit to Australia, back in 1990, when my parents took me to a wildlife park in Victoria where they had a tank full of water, a log, some plants, and a platypus, which spent an hour or three a day swimming in the tank on display, and the rest of its time in an environment that it considered more home-like. (Mom, do you remember where that park was?)

Somehow, despite not getting anywhere near as good of a look at it (since we were standing on the bridge, and it was quite away below us, and spent more time underwater than on the surface), it is ever so much more exciting to see one in the wild, minding its own business, rather than swimming in a display tank. I'd heard that there were platypus living on the mountain, but is is delightful to witness it for myself.

Edit: My sister says that the park I went to back in 1990 was probably the Healesville Sanctuary.

Comments

[sacred-harlot.livejournal.com]

heya :-) this is Sharlot, just wanted to say hello and wondered if I could add you as a friend, my username here is sacred_harlot! Had a lovely time getting to know you all a bit yesterday, and was most impressed with your baking :-)I look forward to keeping in touch if you wish :-)

Blessed Be,
Sacred_Harlot

[kareina.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was fun meeting you guys, and I hope you visit Tassie again.

[fjorlief.livejournal.com]

Your post reminded me of the time I saw a cougar. At the end of the driveway, when I was living in Idaho. It ran like a lion colored piece of water running up the hill. Somehow seeing a creature not "on display", but simply There is for me a huge gift and a reminder that we are in fact sharing the planet with other beings.I treasure my memory, and I am sure you will treasure yours

[kareina.livejournal.com]

"It ran like a lion colored piece of water running up the hill."

Oh, what a lovely image! Thank you for sharing!

I do treasure the memories of the creatures I see in the wild. The coyote who stopped, surprised, to look at me for a bit before running off (while I was visiting in the Blue Ridge Mts. of North Carolina), and the small black bear, chasing a moose calf up the road towards our car, who stopped (letting the moose run past us and keep going), looked at us, and said "harrumph!" before turning and clumping off into the bushes on the side of the road (Arctic Valley park in Anchorage, Alaska) are two of my most memorable encounters.

[hunrvogt.livejournal.com]

Seeing a platypus is entirely too cool!

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

Ooh, jealous! I've never seen one, not even in a zoo.

[beanolc.livejournal.com]

That is so cool!

Platypus

[darttn.livejournal.com]

The park with the platypus was in the wildlife refuge, or whatever it is called, near where Kirsty and Mike live. I don't remember the name of it - must be a senior moment here - because it is a quite well known place and quite large.

Love you
Mom