Spur by Craig Shillington

^{Echidnas are toothless and feed almost exclusively on ants and termites. They are equipped with a long sticky tongue that extends perhaps 17 centimeters beyond the end of the snout.}

^{Long spines cover the body and fur is present between them.}

^{About two weeks after mating occurs, a single soft-shelled egg is deposited directly into the pouch and hatches after 10 days. Because the echidna does not have teats, the baby clings to specialized hairs within the pouch, where it suckles milk oozing from the mother’s mammary glands.}

^{When disturbed, the echidna either curls into a spiny ball to protect its soft underside, or digs its belly into the soil, so that only the spines are exposed.}

^{Males have a spur on the ankle of the hind leg but, unlike that of the platypus, it is not venomous}

^{Note the Spur in this photo}

Comments

missredover 4 years ago

Ooo wow :O
gordontantover 4 years ago

great photo Craig, looks like roadkill, but still great photo.

also looks like you must have been on your belly for this shot
Coralie Pittmanover 4 years ago

Great shot Craig, Great depth of field. It makes the background look so soft compared to the sharpness of the echidna.
andrew cowellover 4 years ago

Love the low angle you’ve achieved in this one Craig. I also like how the over exposure of the sky and background lend this an authentic aussie bushland flavour. Works for me :-))
Karly Morrisover 4 years ago

I love echidnas- problem is they HATE having their photo taken hey?? I love the road and shrubs in the background, you can really tell its real- not just a zoo shot!
Where is this?
Kelly Birdover 4 years ago

Great composition and i love the perspective this shot has, Im a bit sad though as im pretty sure he is dead =( lovely work Craig=)
Rhana Griffinover 4 years ago

Informative blurb! Gorgeous shot… Selective focus is spot on!
Craig Shillingtonover 4 years ago

VBS Thanks Guys :)

Karly you are sooooo right. Geez I could hardly get anywhere near this guy without him digging in!! What a cutie he was though :) This is just down the road from where I live in Western Australia. Here’s a map ;) VBS
Craig Shillingtonover 4 years ago

Kelly!!! OMG!! Ya dag. ;) I PROMISE he was not (and hopefully still isn’t) dead. {{{{hugs}}}}
Jeff Burnsover 4 years ago

Fantastic capture. With that road behind it this is specatcular. I can see for a mile it seems like.
Photo draws your eyes in