Friday, March 12, 2010

Caught In The Act

It's full dark now, but half an hour ago there was still just enough light to safely navigate myself over to the property line [ about 100 metres ] to investigate whatever it was causing Bear to:

a] go absolutely troppo, barking his head off and doing that stiff legged bounce that all small dogs seem to do when confronting an intruder
and
b] completely ignore the fact that I, his adoptive parental unit and pack-leader was demanding he come inside.

I'm kinda glad that I struggled into the boots and went over to retrieve the annoying barking thing, because otherwise I would've missed seeing this little girl/guy.

He/she/or it was huddled in a ball with all extremities pulled in and head buried,
presumably trying to convince Bear to disappear.
Well, of course I hadn't taken the camera with me, so I raced back to the house - as much as one can race in failing light over uneven, rocky terrain - with Bear complaining and struggling under my arm, and returned sans canine and with the camera, fully expecting that the echidna would have already disappeared.
Nope.
Just as I'd left it.
It pulled its head out a couple of times, caught some glimpse of me and promptly dived its snout back into the leaf litter [ if my face is hidden, you can't see me! ] so I retreated a bit and just put the camera on zoom.
That did the trick ...

10 comments:

Nadie said...

Very cute! Maybe next time Bear tells you that you have visitors you'll believe him

Alice said...

Bit of a prickly situation, hey?

Janet Happy Girl said...

I love your kitty...I have three of my own...and those little creatures that cause such an uproar are out there in the night. One night I was on my front porch (live in the burbs mind ya) and a baby fox waked right up to me on my front porch. He was cute but I went in the house cause I just knew mama wasn't too far behind...lol

Lynne said...

Yay for the chance to get a photo! I was fully expecting you to say it was a snake! I assume you don't see echidnas very often?

catsmum said...

I've probably seen 4 in 5 years but I see the evidence of their passing by, in the form of the holes they dig going after white ants, quite often.
I just find echidnas endlessly fascinating.

Unknown said...

Too cute!

Anonymous said...

At least Bear shows you lovely visitors.

Janet Happy Girl said...

p.s....I just saw your comment about my cat watering can. I bought it at Hobby Lobby. I hope there is one near you so you can go see if they have any there...I just bought about 2 wks ago...let me know if you find one.

mycamerandme365 said...

We just had a similar encounter, but Polly just watched it, see photo on my blog for proof! Sue

Elizabeth McClung said...

Fantastic, thanks for the picture. I wish I got one when the skunk woke me up from a nap by licking my face and hair - only the panic was a little to high then - NOW, I would try for the picture.