Shields up!

Although we'd seen the shield shrimp sign, we weren't really expecting to see any.  When we did, we thought at first they were more tadpoles - and in fact tadpole shrimp is one of their other common names. 

I've learned a bit more about them tonight.  They are very interesting fellows indeed, being considered living fossils as they haven't changed significantly since the Triassic period!  I can't remember ever seeing them before but they are found throughout inland Australia, where populations boom after rain - and they breathe through gills on their feet!  Nifty, eh?!  You can read more about them here.