After all the rain here last week, we had wanted to go up to the Main Range National Park to get some shots of the waterfalls and today was the first opportunity we had.
On our "walk" up to one of the falls we nearly fell into the water when we spotted this platypus swimming in one of the pools. He appeared on the surface for a few seconds and then disappeared for a number of minutes before he reappeared in a different spot and then disappeared again without resurfacing. I managed a few shots all of which were rubbish.
On our way back, we stopped at the same pool and sure enough, there he was again. This time I managed some better shots on one of the times he was on the surface.
For O/S 365ers, platypus(s) (platypi?) are very difficult to see in the wild because not only are they quite rare, but also because they require a very particular habitat in unspoiled creeks and streams . This is only the second time I have ever seen one and the first time was just a fleeting glance. This fellow was about 40cm long.
BTW, my best photos ever were the accidental ones of Stephanie Gilmore from last month.
Nah! This is your best ever!! A platypus in the wild - no one can beat that! And you have captured it so clearly and all of his body! That deserves a drink :) Fav, fav, fav!
@leestevo@rachel888@bella_ss I knew someone had posted a shot of a platypus early last year because I could remember clicking on the platypus tag and seeing how few had been posted and it was yours Lee-Ann. I somehow missed your excellent posting in September Rachel so please accept an apology and a fav from me now. I was obviously not following you in Feb Sheralee but I have now seen yours also. Shame on you Sheralee too for not knowing that an Echidna was a monotreme also.
Can I please become a member of the platypus club now?
What a great shot Poppo! I think I would have nearly fallen in too. He doesn't seem as shy as the ones we saw. My shot was rubbish but at least I saw them. That's okay, I forgive you Poppo and will allow you into our elite club as long as you promise not to rub it in too much that I know very little about our native wildlife :)
Well done Poppo, what part of the Main Range National Park ? We saw Platypus at Eungalla National Park west of Mackay many moons ago before the digital age of photography, many photos were obtained on film, very exciting. Great capture BTW :)
Fantastic capture in lovely detail Terry well spotted, Fav.
my school boy history recollection of the Ducked Billed Platypus here, When a pelt and sketch was sent back to Great Britain by Captain John Hunter. British scientists thought it was a hoax, It was thought that somebody had sewn a duck's beak onto the body of a beaver-like animal. Its an amazing looking creature and to be treated with respect and care:)
@bella_ss Thank you for accepting me into the club Sheralee. Don't you recall in the very first episode of David Attenborough's "Life of Mammals, he started the whole series off with a discussion of the two monotremes, the Platypus and the Echidna as the oldest of the mammals with links back to their egg laying ancestors
Oh WOW WOW WOW my favourite photo of yours ever Terry!! How fabulous to see a Platypus yet alone get a great shot of one!! I would travel all the way to Oz to see one of these!! What a wonderful creature!! Huge Fav - I would Fav it twice if I could!! Can you tell I love this photo?
A Fav! for the amazingness of seeing a platy!! AND CATCHING IT ON FILM. Okay, not film, but you know what I mean. Congrats to you on this extraordinary opportunity.
Oh yes, you are now a member of the Platypus Club! This is a GREAT shot. It is so exciting to see them in the wild, and you saw this one so many times. Lucky you. Thanks for the fav of mine!
My grandniece had a pink platypus that she carried everywhere. Not sure she knew that they weren't really pink. I think critters in the water like this are hard to capture the water on the fur messes with focus and then they are moving. So great job for your persistence.
Can I please become a member of the platypus club now?
my school boy history recollection of the Ducked Billed Platypus here, When a pelt and sketch was sent back to Great Britain by Captain John Hunter. British scientists thought it was a hoax, It was thought that somebody had sewn a duck's beak onto the body of a beaver-like animal. Its an amazing looking creature and to be treated with respect and care:)