A Rare Sighting

Last spring, I heard strange excited noises from my little dog, a Bichon Frisé named Polar Bear. When I investigated, I found him standing looking quite alarmed. He was indicating to me there was ‘something’ outside on the path.

I dashed out, fearing the worst – maybe a snake? I’d heard redbellied black snakes had been found close by. But to my delight I saw an extremely unusual sight: an echidna wandering around in the inner suburbs of Brisbane. This friendly little animal, who didn’t seem worried at all by my presence, was trying to find a way through the enclosed backyard.

Not too long afterwards, I heard a currawong calling, then read that they are often heard around areas where echidnas forage. Every time I hear this bird call now, I wonder if I’ll catch a rare sighting of an echidna.

In the backyard, long grass has sprung up after all the recent heavy rain. Across it there is a little echidna-sized pathway. I’m hoping to catch another echidna sighting soon, and maybe it will be announced again by my dog Polar Bear.