I know we have Echidnas on our property, for I often find holes they have dug around ants nests or tasty plant roots.  Usually, it’s easy to tell if an Echidna has dug the hole because of the tell-tale impressions their pointy noses leave at the bottom of the hole.  I’ve come across these fascinating creatures  few times, but not for a while, so it was lovely to see this little one yesterday afternoon.

It was a still day, with only slight breezes beginning in the late afternoon.  The sheer peace and quiet which prevailed for my daily walk around allowed me to hear all of the birds calling, and every tiny rustle in the undergrowth.  At one point I could distinctly hear an animal walking toward me, but I couldn’t see anything.  I stood stock still, and in a few moments, a tiny face peered at me from beneath some bracken.   I had a chance to take one photograph of the Echidnas face before it turned toward a hollow at the base of a tree and dug into the ground for protection.  This little one had obviously been digging, as it had dirt all over the end of its nose.

Compared with the other Echidnas I have seen, I would guess this one was young as it was quite small.  Perhaps half the size of the other Echidna I have seen.   I took two more photographs of the spiny back and left it alone.   While I was walking, I heard two more animals walking through the bush.  While I could not see them, the sound was similar to the Echidna, so I think there may have been two more rambling around out there.