Technically all creatures in National Parks are protected. Usually I am more than happy to respect an animals right to quiet enjoyment of their natural environment. Camping with a plague of Horse flies however is a quick and dirty litmus test for finding out exactly how much patience and respect for all living things you really possess. This is the situation at Platypus Flat Camping Ground in November.
Having finished our walk and looking to camp earlier than yesterday we drive to the camping ground next to Nymboidia River. Once set up and feeling accomplished we take off our shoes in anticipation of relaxing by the river and wait for a platypus. Platypus are usually very shy and quiet creatures. Even if there is a march fly plague, you still need to be quiet and patient if you want to see one in it's natural environment.
I learned something new about my Dad today. Apparently he has never had a leech on him before. Another exciting first for him. His initial impressions are not very positive and I suspect he could easily live without regret had he completely missed this particular life experience.
So every platypus near our part of the river is obviously avoiding two humans slapping each other and stamping pairs of march flies into the grass, in between watching us strike master yoga poses and hearing us discover another horrifying leech locked onto one of our lessor accessible crevices. We didn't see a platypus.
Having finished our walk and looking to camp earlier than yesterday we drive to the camping ground next to Nymboidia River. Once set up and feeling accomplished we take off our shoes in anticipation of relaxing by the river and wait for a platypus. Platypus are usually very shy and quiet creatures. Even if there is a march fly plague, you still need to be quiet and patient if you want to see one in it's natural environment.
I learned something new about my Dad today. Apparently he has never had a leech on him before. Another exciting first for him. His initial impressions are not very positive and I suspect he could easily live without regret had he completely missed this particular life experience.
So every platypus near our part of the river is obviously avoiding two humans slapping each other and stamping pairs of march flies into the grass, in between watching us strike master yoga poses and hearing us discover another horrifying leech locked onto one of our lessor accessible crevices. We didn't see a platypus.
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| Photo by einalam |
1 comment:
I have always wanted to see a platypus.
Would love to visit Australia one day. :-)
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