Day 222 – 23rd August 2018 – Darwin, Echidna

I headed into work today with a bit of a spring in my step as I believed this was my last full time shift filling in for Rory and then I had two days off and then back to part time.  I got into work early and was told that Rory was not actually getting back until Tuesday next week, sigh.  So there would be two more shifts to go after this one.  Not that big a deal.  Definitely ready for my two days off though.

When I got home, Col and I were sitting outside having a drink and catching up on each others day when we noticed something moving across the grass nearby.  We were both surprised to see it was a beautiful little Echidna!!  So, so cute!  We walked over to get a closer look and he came up really close to both of us to check us out.  I just wanted to touch him, he looked so adorable.  I refrained from this, as I am sure he wouldn’t have appreciated it and I would likely get spiked.  Every time Col stood up or made a sound his little spikes went up, it was very funny.

Col and the Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT
Col and the Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT
Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT
Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT

The strangest thing was all the birds HATED him.  We had a tree full of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos going crazy above us, actually throwing sticks and leaves at us and the Echidna.  The Echidna just kept putting up his needles whenever a stick landed near him.  He than slowly walked over to our step to the ensuite and stuck his head under there and laid down.  We weren’t sure if he was having a nap, eating something that lives under the step or just trying to get away from the annoying birds.  He only hid his head and not his body, it was funny.  After a while he then wandered off across the park with the flock of birds chasing him and even the Kites joined in.  They were squawking and swooping him and throwing things.  Such strange behaviour we thought, considering he is earth bound.

Echidna hiding under our step, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT
Echidna hiding under our step, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT

The lawn was littered with sticks, leaves and twigs that the cockatoos were throwing at us and the Echidna.  It was really weird to see and you couldn’t talk over the noise it was so loud.

Sticks thrown by the Cockatoos at the Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT
Sticks thrown by the Cockatoos at the Echidna, Lee Point Village Resort, Darwin NT

We have spoken with different people who have lived in the park for many years and none of them have ever seen an Echidna here before.  We were so happy that he popped in to say hi.  It made our night and we felt pretty lucky.

4 thoughts on “Day 222 – 23rd August 2018 – Darwin, Echidna”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *