Ken Gargett Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 woke up yesterday and walked out onto the balcony (yes, next time i'll remember shorts). the creek is up and flowing seriously strongly but not in full flood mode. just below me, happily swimming about was a large platypus. they are the coolest animals in history. went for a camera but it was gone by the time i got back. i had heard that there were once platypus (is the plural platypusses or platypi?) in the creek but never met anyone who had seen one. in the past, several times, i thought that what was happening suggested that they were there - they snuffle about banks looking for food, usually just under the surface. once, one of these almost-sightings turn out to be a six foot brown snake (hey, they look alike). i saw one once in the blue mountains when i was trout fishing. i was on a bank stationary - as were the fish - and one started snuffling next to my feet. did so for 20 minutes. i stood stone still and it never saw me. coolest things ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJP Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I agree, they are our coolest gift of nature down here. I've only seen one in the wild and it was crook or very full so I had about 5mins with it and it kept moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewNR Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Thats pretty awesome, Dont think I've seen one in the wild. I have a Koala that lives in one of my gumtree's in the backyard, I think thats pretty damn awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharks Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 There is a property where I have hunted in Victoria since I was a young boy with the old man. Back then we use to sit on the bank of the river and watch for hours a small family of platypus go about there daily duties. 40 years on the family is still going strong and to have the opportunity to see one of Australia's greatest creatures in its own habitat rather than through a glass window is so cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 They look a bit like a duck designed by a committee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMJoe Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Fantastic! What an awesome treat you had! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drguano Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I thought you were going to write about your new hat. I was wondering what the 'P' stood for. Platypus? Very cool. Our urban wildlife consists of squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, small birds and the occasional hawk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanislaw Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 this definitely sounds like one of those special moments in life and i believe one very important part of living a happy life is recognizing such moments.... fancy a cigar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 These are the times that makes me glad I live in Australia. Though there is no universally accepted plural of platypus, since it is derived from Greek, the plural form should be platypodes. Then again, platypuses and platypus are generally accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 They look so cute until you try to pick one up that is injured and they spike you with that poisonous spur on the back foot ....and Koalas....try to move one that is injured on a road....go back and collect your entrails. Australia....look and don't touch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted February 21, 2013 Author Share Posted February 21, 2013 They look so cute until you try to pick one up that is injured and they spike you with that poisonous spur on the back foot ....and Koalas....try to move one that is injured on a road....go back and collect your entrails. Australia....look and don't touch! well thank you, david attenborough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewNR Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Can't wrong him though he is right Better off looking and staying far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Australia, where the cute and cuddly animals are only cute and cuddly.... from a distance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stargazer14 Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 "Go home nature, you were probably so high when you made these you're not sober yet." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarks Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 They look so cute until you try to pick one up that is injured and they spike you with that poisonous spur on the back foot ....and Koalas....try to move one that is injured on a road....go back and collect your entrails. Australia....look and don't touch! Does that include the women down under? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckSARTech Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 They look so cute until you try to pick one up that is injured and they spike you with that poisonous spur on the back foot ....and Koalas....try to move one that is injured on a road....go back and collect your entrails. Australia....look and don't touch! LOL. Does that include the women down under? He's not allowed to answer that one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 "Go home nature, you were probably so high when you made these you're not sober yet." Mwwaaaw. They are pretty cute. I like to think of them as natures leftovers I like echidnas too. The way they sort of wobble while they walk. Look, dont touch sums up Aus perfectly, including some of our women Also, the plural of Platypus is Platypus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 the plural - can't find any reference that it is simply 'platypus'. have started a seperate thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Got to send that adorable photo to my daughter on Instagram! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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