Platypus in the Blue Pool

Several platypus inhabit the Blue Pool at Jenolan.  This is all one usually sees in the morning and evening, they float to the surface for a breath and dive again hunting for invertibrates. 

"The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record.

The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.

Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range. Although captive breeding programmes have had only limited success and the platypus is vulnerable to the effects of pollution, it is not under any immediate threat." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus

*****

From Sid Bellingham's guide book:

"PLATYPUS may be found on all the rivers throughout the Mountains. Towards the evening or in the early morning they are most likely to be seen, rising to the surface of the water, were they will float motionless for about a minute, and then dive. They are graceful and seal-like in their motions The best way to get a shot at one is to walk quietly along the banks of a river in the evening, keeping a good look out both up and down the stream, and more especially watching any deep still waterhole with overhanging trees. If there is a disturbance of water, as if anything is swimming underneath - or any eddies - as if something had dived, proceed to where you can command a good view of this place without being seen, taking advantage of the cover afforded by any tree or foliage. 

Platypi are very shy; the mere action of bringing the gun to the shoulder will cause them to dive instantly. I have generally found that when a Platypus has risen once in a waterhole, it will after the lapse of a minute come to the surface again, not far from the spot where it was first seen, and by steadily waiting with the gun to the shoulder, when he next rises you can cover him, and pull the trigger without moving sufficiently to disturb it.  

When Platypus is shot at, it will generally dive, but if it is hit hard, will rise again to the surface, and when dead, floats on the water. It is difficult to get a dog to retrieve them, and a long sapling often has to be obtained, with which to get them out of the water. After heavy rain, when the rivers are flooded, Platypi appear to get drowned out of their holes in the banks; for they are to be seen swimming about the surface of the water all day. I have shot Platypi on the rivers by moonlight. At this period, water rats are very busy; a variety of these with a red belly, has a fine fur. When the longer hairs of the Platypus and water rat are plucked off, a fine down-like fur is exposed, similar to sealskin. 

The male Platypus only, has a sharp spur on each hind leg, but I never had an opportunity of observing for what purpose they use them. Although Platypi lay eggs I have never met anyone who had found any, neither have I ever seen any myself, except in the Museum. 

From my own personal observation, I conclude, that Platypi live together in pairs, as I have never seen more than two in the same waterhole. The fur of the Platypus almost rivals that of the seal, but the skins are so small, and it takes such a number of them to make a rug, that I consider it a pity to shoot them for this purpose." 

From: Sid R. Bellingham, Ten Years with the Palette, Shotgun and Rifle on the Blue Mountains, NSW. A complete guide to the shooting and fishing to be obtained on the Blue Mountains, 1899.

 

On the Six Foot Track, with a poet and a piebald.

The six foot track was originally developed as a bridle path six feet wide, covering the 26 miles from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves in 1884. Lord Carrington, then Governor General, and Lady Carrington, traveled the track in September 1887 in company with the noted local guide Harry Peckman, known from his versifying as the Poetical Whip, who entertained them along the way with his songs and recitations. When Lady Carrington found it hard going, Harry told her to catch hold of his piebald horse's tail, she at first refused until her husband remarked, "Now then, Lil', do as the guide tells you", her ladyship took the advice and from then on she was alright. They camped at Little River and broke out the champagne and other good things, Harry gave them billy tea and finished off the bubbly with his brother. Some time later the piebald died, Harry cut off the tail and kept it as a souvenir of Lady Carrington. The track passes through some of the most beautiful, rugged and inaccessible country of the southern Blue Mountains National Park and may take up to 4 days to traverse or as little as 5-6 hours for runners in the six foot track marathon, definitely not me. My younger son and I drove in along the fire trail from the Jenolan end as far as the Cox's River and camped overnight at Little River. I photographed these wild ponies as they grazed on fresh pasture after rain. They probably descend from pit ponies released by the miners after the Katoomba coal mines closed in the 1930s. The rivers were still low with no spawn run fish showing, although a few smaller resident fish showed interest in a dry fly. A school group arrived and took over the Cox's camp ground, they had walked in from the Katoomba end, so we left early and headed back the way we came. No sign of old Harry, just the ponies, there was a piebald one.