Spike2

Thank you kalaryder, yes he (she?) was on his best behaviour

Yes he is (I think it’s a boy cause this is the time of year they go looking for GIRLS)!

Thank you Simon. Actually it was windy with the first drops from some very dark looking clouds. The best light was setting the camera to shade, ISO 400 and lying prone!

Thank you Robert, I played it safe here and kept my distance using a 400m lens

Thank you blossom, This guy spent most of the time with his nose diging in the ground or tussucks before disappearing in the bush!

Thank you Di, he did perform well on the “catwalk”! hahaha

Thanks Skyhorse, I was very careful not to let him know anyone was looking

He does have a face a mother could love! Ha

Yeah is is kinda cute isn’t he?

Thank You Rhonda, I thought he looked a little sleepy hey!

Why thank you Lois

I think he was looking for love!

Thank you very much Evita

Your right Bob there is definately a “longing” in those eyes. Thanks again

Thank you Onni. I notice all your shots are very clear and bright (as in focus). You have a great model for your adorable portraites!

Keep on shooting, they grow too fast!

Thanks Renee, Who’d think a spiky, ant eating, ground digging, egg-laying mammal could have such charm!
The longer lens does help not to disturb the animals but it does give you muscles!

Thanks Graham Lea, When I spotted him I just lay on the ground in the direction he was travelling and waited (eye on the viewfinder and finger on the button!)

Keep an eye out. They are shy but move around when “looking for luv”!

Yes he looks like he was on a mission hey. Thanks for the “double Fave” lol!

It’s cool how such a bizzare animal can bring out the “cute” feelings.

Thank you Magee. I was pretty happy with this study.

Thanks Silvia. I was giving myself a few wows when I came home with these shots. Best Echidna (as in natural) I’ve got so far.

Thanks Alex. This was a full size Echidna so I’m not sure about the age. She (he) was a very light and clean looking individual though (sometimes they seem to be covered in dry mud or dust). It had been turning over grass tuffs on Look At Me Know head land at Emerlad beach just near the Moonee Nature Reserve. I see a few of these most years. This one was very cute and completley unaware that I was laying in ambush with my camera. Thanks again.

Thanks you Nori. I am pretty happy with this study.

That what I thought Debbie. Thanks

Thanks again Virginia

Thanks David appreciate.

Thanks Melinda, Appreciated

They are cut critters, Thanks again Dayonda

Coreycw would you believe the Echidna lays eggs!! Platypus and echidnas are the only existing species of monotremes (egg laying mammals) on earth. The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), with its duck bill and webbed feet, is a another unique Australian animal.
Thanks for looking and comment.

^{^^} is the right description. Thanks schizomania

Thank you Ginny both for the comment and Fav!! Appreciated

Thanks Carol. Cute hey?

Well Marjorie the spikes would be dangerous if you sat on him of course but when they see a preditor they curl up and dig down so just the spikes poke above the ground. They are shy and about as big as a cat (six to eleven pounds, with the biggest yet found weighing 14 pounds), echidnas live an astonishing 50 years.

Hey I thought that too kevinmawson Thanks

Tarr Cheryl. I was pretty happy with this capture!

Thank you scatrdjason. That’s high praise. Appreciated

mlynnd I appreciate your comment.

Unreal Thanks Teresa for the Fav and OMG!!!!