Cane Toads and the Rain
The heavy rains we are experiencing is bringing Cane Toads out into the open,fortunately they are not so prominent as in other parts of Queensland,however,we did have a visitor last night and Ann quickly gave it a dose of Dettol which provides almost instant death and these creatures are a danger to animals in particular dogs.Humans can also be infected by them.Strangely they are not to be found anywhere when the weather is hot and it is difficult to understand how they appear so quickly with rain !! When on our travels in Kuramba on the Gulf of Carpenteria Frog skins were made into handbags,purses etc and I have NO idea who would buy them
The cane toad (Rhinella marina) formerly Bufo marinus is an invasive species in Australia. The cane toad is the largest species in the family Bufonidae. Adult cane toads are usually heavy-built and weigh an average of up to 1.8 kg. (4 lbs.). Their size may vary from 15–23 cm.(4-9 in.) and their skin is warty. The coloration on their back and sides may vary from olive-brown or reddish-brown, gray, and yellow while their bellies are semi-yellow or semi-white with darker mottling. Their body is round and flat, has prominent corneal crests, and light middorsal stripes. Their front feet are unwebbed, but their back feet have tough, leathery webbing. Cane toads have short legs and a ridged bony head that extends forward from their eyes to their nose. Behind their ears lie the parotid glands, which usually causes their head to appear swollen. These glands are used for defense against predators. The parotid gland produces milky toxic secretion or poison that is dangerous to many species.This venom primarily affects the functioning of the heart. Envenomation is painful, but is usually not fatal for humans. However, it does have some effects, such as burning of the eyes and hands, and skin irritation
Currently, most attempts to curtail the invasion of cane toads have been unsuccessful. Many of these strategies involve the physical trapping of toads, but these methods also capture unintended native species.Since the largest selective pressure on cane toads currently is intraspecies competition, these physical removals often only improve the conditions for untrapped toads. Also, since migration is high, any area purged of toads would most likely be reinvaded quickly.Many new ideas have been proposed to control the cane toad population. Some have suggested introducing a native viral or bacterial pest of the toads, but this has potential to once again invade native species. Two similar strategies have been proposed, both of which focus on fecundity. One involves the release of sterile males into the population. These males would compete for resources with other males, while themselves not being able to reproduce. A second strategy would be to insert a gene in female toads which would allow them to only create male offspring. In theory, this would limit the reproductive rates and control the population. It is difficult to determine the efficacy and dangers of these approaches, as these methods have never been attempted, especially on a large scale.On 13 June 2012 news reports cited a new research breakthrough regarding cane toad control. Research has confirmed that cane toad tadpoles are attracted to the toxin produced by adults and spawn. Tadpoles are believed to cannibalize toad spawn as a food source. Researchers used cane toad toxin to successfully lure cane toad tadpoles, implying that in controlled areas tadpoles could be captured and eradicated.The RSPCA has guidelinesfor the humane culling of cane toads. Inhumane ways include spraying with Dettol, Phenyl and using golf clubs, but these are illegal in most states and territories .[citation needed] Due to concerns over potential harm to other Australian wildlife species, the use of Dettol as pest control was banned in Western Australia by the Department of Environment and Conservation in 2011.
Hervey Bay our Home Town
Hervey Bay is one of Queensland’s best natural holiday destinations offering the world’s closest whale watching encounters with humpback whales as well as easy access to World Heritage Listed Fraser Island; the world’s largest sand island and Lady Elliot Island; the first coral cay on World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Its safe sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a vibrant marina.In perfect, stinger-free water enjoy kayaking, yachting, diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. Boating and fishing enthusiasts enjoy estuary, beach, jetty, reef and game fishing. Join a tour or charter your own vessel, yacht or houseboat.Enjoy a bicycle ride along the picturesque foreshore, visit places such as the Orchid House within the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Marina area or one of the many restaurants and cafes situated along the Esplanade.Visitors to Hervey Bay can choose from a range of accommodation styles, catering for all tastes and budgets. Several of the accommodation houses, attractions and general facilities are also accessible for people with disabilities.
The Bay also boasts lots of class pubs and a few clubs the biggest being the RSL and the Boat Club of which we are members of both..They also provide free transport to and from the clubs.The beaches are pristine and there is a fabulous FREE water park for kids (and we big kids!!) Seniors are catered for in ahuge with lots of activities to keep them busy I am currently doing a bit for St Vinnies and a position I am enjoying thoroughly my training as a radio disc jockey…..Should have moved here years ago !!
Samford Queensland & The Suncoasters
We have traveled 300+KMs from home to join up with the Suncoasters monthly meet up and have settled in a lovely Scout camp area.The grounds are specifically for young people to learn camping skills that have been handed down since Baden Powell started the movement. Motor home travelers such as our group also have access to this lovely well kept area.Our first Happy Hour began around 4pm and with a food break went on for a few hours!! Next day was spent chatting with various members and a visit to the Scout Movement Museum (even had an original footprint set in concrete left by non other than Baden Powell himself on a visit here in 1935 !! The Scout Association of Queensland operates Baden Powell Park. An easy walk from the Village, Baden Powell Park consists of 56 hectares of natural bush land bordering the Brisbane Forest Park. Within the grounds are modern, fully equipped conference facilities for up to 150 people, a commercial kitchen, accommodation blocks, camping ground, swimming pool, dam, abseiling tower as well as walking trails of various grades. Baden Powell Park is the venue for a number of activities open to the public such as laser skirmish and abseiling.The Baden-Powell Heritage Centre & Museum is also open to scouting groups and to the general public on weekends. Samford was occupied by the indigenous people who named it Kupidabin, an Aboriginal word from the Waka language, meaning ‘place of possums’. Samford was an important location for “kippa-ring” or initiation ceremony. Tribes from Ipswich, Cressbrook, Mount Brisbane and Brisbane would travel here to have their “kippas” (young men) initiated. Annie ventured into the Village and took some pics.At one of the Happy Hour sessions we met a couple of young girls who are “testing” the Motor home scene afore they go off and do the full around Oz thing
Back to reality
After a brilliant few days around Brisbane & Surfers Paradise we are settling into a new phase having done my first nerve racking stint on radio (Fraser Coast FM 107.50) and enjoyed banter with my co learner Paul under the watchful eye of the talented Patrick. Although nervous on my first attempt I am excited at the prospect of having my own show in the future
After my last learning session we ambled along to our local RSL and entered a quiz with just me and Annie plus an intellectually disabled lad forming a team (other teams had 6 members) Coming LAST we won the $20 booby prize added to the $30 I previously won on the pokies ! (one armed bandits) On this particular day it was Annies birthday and we have had the best day (with lots of beer for me as Annie can,t drink much in the way of alcohol !!)
The weekend ahead sees us on the road again heading for Samford in Queensland with around 30 other RVs) I am having a great time.Around July we are hoping to set off on our adventures and heading towards Perth and visiting old friends.
We are continuing our volunteer work with St Vinnies and life is good .
Annie has let me buy a bit of steel and I am having great fun making wrought iron articles ( I was trained in the art of Blacksmithing,not horses,when I left school)
LIFE IS FOR LIVING ,WE ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME ENJOYING IT
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 