The Rainforest

The other exciting part about visiting Northern Queensland is visiting the Rainforest. At our local wildlife sanctuary, I caught site of this bizarre bird - the cassowary. It is a flightless bird that looks a bit like an emu that lives in the rainforest. It is vital to the eco system because it is the only thing that helps to spread 80 different plants and trees. The seeds from the plants pass thru this bird and the cassowary breaks down the seeds and fertilizes them at the same time. Without this bird, the whole rain forest will be altered forever. So, I really wanted to see this crazy bird in the wild. Sadly, this was not to be. But, I have heard tales of it attacking people, so it's probably just as well. This leaves another reason to go back up North. Must see one!

However, there was no shortage of other interesting wildlife. We took a tour from Cairns up to the Daintree National Park. We had a great guide who knew so much about the area and the plants and animals. He even licked the hind end of a green ant to demonstate the ants medicinal properties. Vitamin C! Elliott has had some green ant bites and wasn't keen to try that. In the Daintree area, they have classified much area to be another World Heritage Site. A lot of the area was cleared for logging and farming, but they have now realized the importance of the area. The Australian Government is trying to help buy back land and enlarge the area even more.

We took a walk thru Mossman Gorge and had a boat trip on the Daintree River. The boat ride really was the highlight for me. We saw several crocodiles in the wild - swimming and sunning themselves on the bank. There were tree snakes and even an amythestine python hanging on the branches of the trees. This was so cool because they really were just out there - not in a zoo. There were night herons which feed on croc eggs, 2 kinds of kingfishers and the ever present sulpher crested cockatiel.

We also took a trip to a crocodile farm. They now raise crocs for meat and also for their skins, and of course for the tourists. This was not as good as seeing them in the wild, but interesting to learn more about them. I have a new found respect for the croc for sure. The salt water crocs have not evolved in thousands of years, because they are already a superb killing machine. They are extremely well suited to their environment. They can slow their heart rate down to 5 beats a minute while resting and waiting for prey. They can hold their breath underwater for hours. They only have to eat once a year - yes, once a year - without losing any energy. Their brain is the size of a walnut, but they can stalk their prey. If you fill your bucket from the river at the same time every day, they will know it and be waiting for you. Luckily, they only get a human once every two years or so. I'm surprized it's not more - they are spectacular animals to see in action.

One last note on our trip for those who would like to visit North Queensland in a gentle fashion. We went out to Green Island one day. This is what I call "North Queensland Lite." It is an island a 45 minute boatride from Cairns. You can snorkel right off the beach with some little coral. There is a short little Glass Bottom Boat Tour and an underwater viewing area. A little boardwalk takes you through a rainforest area with lots of signs to read. And lastly, there is a crocodile/fish zoo where you can see all the animals in a very controlled experience. This was a fun day with very little stress. However, you get to see it all, but it's on a very small scale.

So that concludes my thoughts on that trip. We are hanging out here in Brisbane for the rest of this week. Then on Monday, we head to Melbourne. I really need to be able to publish links for you to see the parks and stuff. I'll try to make that a project.