Ozzie Obzervations
Birds, Fish and Crawly Things
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Just the mention of Australia conjures up thoughts of koalas, kangaroos, platypus and crocodiles. While these animals are a fair dinkum representation of this glorious country, they are usually seen in sanctuaries and zoos rather than during the course of everyday city life.
In January, on the very day we arrived in Brisbane, we were greeted by a number of small skinks (geckos) roaming the kitchen and bedrooms walls. As we neither had to feed or arrange "skink sitting" for them while we are off on our various vacations throughout the year, the little skinks have been perfect pets.
Other crawly things can be found in darker corners of the apartment (cockroaches, silverfish and some strange-looking round gold-colored bug) but none are as cute or friendly as our wee skinks.
Millions of ants
There must be literally millions of ants per city block. They can be found scurrying everywhere and sei to defy the law of gravity. Make sure you give your knickers a good shake when you take them off the clothesline or you may find the phrase "ants in your pants" will take on a literal meaning.
Government authorities are holding seminars to inform local residents of the current fire ant infestation. Fire ants are tiny but pack a nasty bite.
Other more interesting insects to be encountered are the large, gangly stick insects and the flying cockroaches (one of which had the pleasure of sharing my shower on Friday morning). Cockroaches (cockies) are common and reside even in the best of homes.
To see some of Queensland's finest cockies, plan to attend the Cockroach Races held annually at the Story Bridge Hotel on Australia Day. After the race there is always a good roach stomp. The bugs and insects down here can be big and alien-looking. Some are rather scary to apprehend on first contact.
Cacophony of bird calls
Dennis has enjoyed waking up at 4.14 each morning to a cacophony of bird calls — the loudest and most distinctive of which is the laugh of the kookaburra. Kookaburra sometimes laugh at the most inopportune times and should not be taken seriously (this comment is based on a real life incident).
Pigeons are plentiful and tend to have a quiet and reserved call. After a week of listening to the same pigeon "coo-coo" pattern, some people consider suicide to be a good life move.
Australian birds are some of the most colorful in the world. Beautiful iridescent rosellas and rainbow lorikeets; chatty parrots and cockatoos; mimicking lyrebirds and Jurassic Age cassowaries: bell birds that tinkle and crows that caw. Amazing colors and sounds.
The cutest of all are the fairy penguins on the south coast. No bigger than seagulls, the little penguins can be seen waddling ashore each night, bellies full of fish to feed their young.
Pristine beaches
For the sand and sun lover there are a multitude of pristine beaches along the eastern coast of Queensland and New South Wales. Although beautiful to look at, those who enter the water must beware of what lies beneath.
In the northern areas you will find jugs of vinegar along the beach. This vinegar is not for use with your luncheon of fish and chips but rather to apply to "stinger" bites that are inflicted while swimming in the ocean.
The only people that die of stinger bites are tourists. The locals have a high concentration of canned beet juice (mostly vinegar) in their blood that tends to repel stingers and jellyfish. So if you must swim and do get bitten, make sure it is not during a high "fish and chips" season.
Watch out for sharks
If visiting beaches further south than Cairns, it is advisable to keep on the lookout for sharks while taking a dip in the ocean. You will note that the surfers do not get out of the water when sharks attack the beach.
Surfers are a strange breed and are not easily put off their fun by a few nasty fish (unless human limbs are bitten off, in which case they might take a break for beer).
For entertainment during a shark attack, look to the sky for the helicopters attempting to drive the sharks back off the beach or to the water for zooming zodiacs attempting to drive the surfers back onto the beach.
Next page: Lizards, Leeches and Flies
- Driving in Australia and Other Aussie Experiences
- U-Turns and Highways
- Billy Tea, Beet Root, Bacon, Beer
- Spyders, Sausage Rolls
- Does the Water Go Counter-clockwise?
- Big Things in the Big Country
- Clubs and Culture
- Birds, Fish and Crawly Things
- Lizards, Leeches and Cane Toads
From our Forum: "Favorite sign - WRONG WAY GO BACK ... Uh ... mind if I ask how many times you ... uh ... encountered that one??? [very big grin]" — Joseph
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