SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #31
With at least 210 different types of birds and 54 species of native mammals living within the national park, sightings of Australia’s unique animals at Carnarvon Gorge are guaranteed. We’ve seen some, like the eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, cockatoos and kookaburras many times before but seeing them again is always a joy.
eastern grey kangaroo
swamp wallaby
sulphur crested cockatoo
kookaburra
But sightings of echidnas and platypuses in the wild are rare and we’d only ever seen either once before outside of a zoo or wildlife park. Imagine our excitement when this echidna came strolling right by our camp sight. It was intent on searching for food and wasn’t at all bothered by our presence.
echidna
Several platypuses live in the section of Carnarvon Creek which flows through the Takarakka campground. A viewing platform set well back from the creek allows campers to watch from a distance as the platypuses emerge from their burrows at dawn and dusk. The fading light of early evening meant our photos didn’t turn out well, but the experience of watching these elusive little creatures in their native habitat was a highlight of our week at the gorge.
platypus
In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp
Good spotting 👏
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Wonderful lineup, Carol! It’s extraordinary that creatures like kangaroos and wallabies exist. I marvel every time I see them! 🙂 🙂
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I know what you mean, Jo. We love seeing animals we don’t have in Australia when we visit another country.
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Seeing the echidna and platypuses in the wild, but have been so exciting for you. I can relate to your excitement, based on my own excitement at my first sighting of a kookaburra – and it was even in a gum tree! And then there were the wallabies….
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It was great to see them both, especially the platypuses. I remember that kookaburra. He was most cooperative for you.
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I think that kookaburra was very keen on posing. 🙂
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That’s definitely a great way to close out a photo challenge with those handsome friends.
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It was a treat to see them all. The wallabies would come through the camp ground and stop to visit everyone on their way.
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Great lineup!
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Thanks. I thought it was a nice way to finish the month.
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Love your Australian animals. I’ve never seen a platypus in the wild. So exciting. Love the photos. Just to see them really swimming in the river. Thanks for sharing your photos.
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They are much smaller than you would think and they move fast in the water. Dear little things.
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A great photo of the swamp wallaby and i love the echidna’s face, he looks so cute 🙂
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He’s a spiny character but he was very cute. We watched him for ages.
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Fabulous stories. I was most thrilled with the echidna, of course. I’ll never forget lunching with them at the Sanctuary.
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That was such a lovely day.
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And so thrilling to have the reminder, but in the wild. So special. 🙂
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Great end to an excellent series!
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Thank you. I thought this was a nice way to finish too. And there’ll be more of Carnarvon Gorge because I’ll tell you all about the walks we did now.
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So lucky to see a platypus…they’re quite elusive. There were some in the river on the boundary of our last place, but we rarely saw them, and then only a glimpse. An echidna wandered through our barbecue area once, stopped long enough to have its photo taken and then wandered off to who knows where. They are very cute, as you say.
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We were entranced by both, but particularly thrilled to see the platypus. You’re right though, if you’re not looking at exactly the right moment you miss them. The only other time we’ve seen one was at Eungulla National Park, west of Mackay. Unusual, because it was in the middle of the day and even more unusual because he was so active and just kept swimming around on the surface of the water for ages. We were so lucky.
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It’s been a wonderful month exploring this great place with you. I wonder if I’ll get back over there to visit myself.
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I hope you are able to come, although it’s not going to be any time soon. Perhaps when everyone is vaccinated things might change.
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One can hope, but whether I will feel like a long haul flight in a couple of years time is anybody’s guess. The older I become the less I feel like flying.
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It’s a big journey too. We always break it up with a two day stopover somewhere along the way.
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Yes. I would probably do that too.
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Oh, and I’m so glad you enjoyed coming along with me.
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Lucky you! What a sighting!
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Yes, to see both these animals was wonderful, Susi. That echidna was so chilled and just kept on doing its thing. It was intent on finding some lunch.
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So cool!
Have an owl that’s decided to take up residence on a favourite branch during the day in the pandanas tree in the back yard. He’s so calm and just watches us… 😍
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That’s nice. Is he an owl or a tawny frogmouth? At our previous home we used to have one of those who took up residence on our clothes line every night.
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My neighbour the birdwatcher came to look and said he/she is a tawny frogmouth. 🤗
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Love this! I’m lucky enough to live by a rivulet in Tasmania that’s home to a couple platypuses. They are fascinating animals that’s for sure!
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Oh, how lucky are you to have them close by.
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Our native wildlife is so unique and special! 😀
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Yes, and it’s always a treat to see them.
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oh my how did i miss you fabulous finale? What a line up!
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I thought this was a nice way to finish the month. 🙂
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Fantastic way 👏
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I would love to see a platypus in the wild.
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It was so amazing to watch these little guys. Everyone was entranced. A special moment for sure.
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You have the cutest wildlife in Australia. The Platypus is such a weird and wonderful creature. 🙂
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It was such a treat to watch them swimming around. We stayed until it was dark and we couldn’t see any more.
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