We flew more than 1,000 miles from Yulara in the Northern Territory to a different city and state, Cairns in Queensland. Then drove north to Palm Cove; our tour guide actually lives about 30 miles further north in Port Douglas. Palm Cove is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn which delineates warm, tropical climate on our earth. And yes, Palm Cove today is 81 degrees Fahrenheit with 70% humidity. 

It was interesting last night and today when I had opportunities to wander. It becomes very clear how one could walk in from the Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea, onto a beach front in many places of Palm Cove. Or closer to Clifton Beach there is an area thick with mangroves you would discover on your walk inland. Nowadays there is housing, but on the backside of them you can see the clouds hanging above rainforest. In another day, we will visit a rainforest.

On this day, we visited Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. It is Australia’s first and oldest facility to breed crocodiles in captivity. At the same time there are daily activities for curious visitors. You can pose with a snake or koala bear, or walk the discovery trail to see kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and other animals. But the highlight for most people is to see the saltwater crocodiles be hand-fed in a show while another wildlife keeper explains the croc’s behavior. I always have mixed emotions with these shows, but at the same time, I understand humans seem to need this entertainment to realize the importance of other ecological and environmental messages. So be it, while these professional and experienced keepers interact with the crocs. 

They did have an informative film on the operation of this crocodile farm and how it contributes to the conservation of wild crocodiles and their habitat. While on the boat cruise in their lagoon, the boatman did point out an alligator nest. Interestingly, the eggs are collected on site and artificially incubated. As the young crocodile ages, they are fed less times per week and always at the same time, by the same keeper with a routine to keep the crocodile’s stress level low. Within 4 hours after feeding the crocodiles, their tanks are scrubbed clean so no bacteria can grow. Those crocodiles in the lagoon feed on their own and know chicken will be available when a show happens. All parts of dead crocodiles are eventually used.

There are 216 species of snakes in Australia and half of them are brown. The keeper of this huge, venomous King Brown snake had a most interesting talk. She almost convinced me, as she once tried to convince her parents, that a snake is an easy pet to have. It didn’t work and they still don’t understand her love of snakes. Surprisingly and statistically-speaking, the most common age group to be bitten by a venomous snake is 50 -60 year old males … and possibly with alcohol involved. I don’t know why, but I was surprised with that fact.

I will say our tour group had an opportunity to hold a crocodile, which had its snout taped shut, and an olive python. I have felt both at other times and passed on this opportunity.

Other animals at the adventure center:

Seven new birds were seen by me at the adventure place. None of these birds were caged; therefore, I could record them in my eBird list. Here’s an interesting bird … Australasian figbird:

Unfortunately this bird I could not include as it has a clipped wing and is now a resident here. I understand healthy black-necked storks can fly as high as airplanes. Wouldn’t that be a kick if I happen to see one in that environment! Black-necked stork:

Back at Palm Cove, I wandered 1.5 miles south to Clifton Beach … only 4 other people on the beach with me … lovely! So was my morning walking meditation on the beach in front of our hotel. We are here 4 nights so I am sure to get plenty of beach time in. It will not be swimming as I find the water cold … and after seeing this sign, not all that inviting.

But one amazing discovery! I have looked all over the southern coast of California for this bird and here it was sitting in grass in Clifton Beach, Australia!

Tomorrow I am off to the Great Barrier Reef for my first snorkeling lesson … I’ll keep you posted!