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To Trap a Crocodile
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Nichola Wallace (niknik)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 32 W: 1 N: 35]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif) (112) |
| Genre: Places |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-07-15 |
| Categories: Daily Life, Nature |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop |
| Date Submitted: 2007-08-04 16:13 |
| Viewed: 575 |
| Points: 8 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Saltwater crocodiles are extremely dangerous and after the wet season, many have found their way well upstream to the base of popular waterfalls and into swimming holes. It is now considered too dangerous to swim in holes where once you could. Even after trapping and removal of crocs.
Dense foam floats coated in fish oil or similar are placed along the banks of creeks. If there’s a croc there, it will bite the float. This not only lets the ranger know that a croc is there but also gives him an idea of the size.
A trap baited with a leg of wild pig (cuts down the feral pig population) is set to catch it.
Access to Twin Falls had been opened the day before we visited. The level of water in Jim Jim Creek, which flows from Twin and Jim Jim Falls, had dropped low enough to allow 4x4’s to cross if they were fitted with a snorkel. We heard that 6 crocs had already been trapped and removed from the bottom of Twin Falls.
We hiked to the top of these falls and swam in the creek a few hundred meters upstream. Later we hiked to the base of the falls along the creek from the bottom. The first 100m is by boat. (Previously you swam) Then it’s a scramble over rocks, walk along a floating boardwalk (steel mesh base and sides to protect against attack) and over more rocks.
Twin Falls drop into beautiful clear pools of green hued water which lap white sandy beaches. Definitely no swimming here! A sign warns not to go near the water (see W/S) and a baited trap floats near the bank. Returning in the boat, we spotted a far less dangerous freshwater crocodile half hidden in the vegetation on the sandy creek bank. |
Greg1949, feather, plimrn, Jeppe has marked this note useful
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Nichola, interesting subject. The composition supports your note nicely and the water does look so inviting, this is interesting that the crocs are such a danger. Your shot has nice color and detail and this is what I always look for on TE, informative stories with pictures. Nice capture.
Greg
Hi Nichola. You call that dangerous? Here in London we face our fair share of dangers you know. I suffered 2 calamaties on the same day. I got a splinter in my finger in the morning and in the afternoon the extreme 23C heat melted ice cream to drip on my new T shirt! Seriously - I think there's a case for a dedicated swimming pool there - with a 12 foot high wall! Great notes, very interesting and the pic bad either.
Fascinating story. Don't the crocs ever get out of the water and chase people? I think I would keep well away. The falls in your WS also look like a good photo opportunity if there's a way to compose without the sign. An excellent TE presentation.
Kath
- plimrn
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3757 W: 232 N: 5055]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(15973) - [2007-08-12 21:33]
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Hi Nicola,
I particularly like the clarity of the water in your intersting & informative note and picture.
I'm not sure I would ever travel if I lived in Queensland. I've had some wonderful times there although my first Australian beach was near Port Douglas where a sign warned of sharks, croc and jellyfish so I didn't have to wonder long why nobody was inthe water on such a hot day.
Wishing you health, love & joy, Pat
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- Jeppe
(18560)
- [2007-08-16 10:43]
- [+]
Hi Nichola
A fine note and photo - I just read about a man who spend 6 days in a tree for the same reason.
I didnt' kwow the was problems with wild living pigs.
Only giant toads, rabbits and dingo's :-)
tfs
Jeppe
