On 16 October 2009 Amelia Toni Ann Mason was born, and she is the 4th generation of the Mason family to live at Cape Tribulation. She is named after her great grandmothers, Elsie Amelia Dorothea Mason and Toni Berden and her Grandmother Ann Mason. Mother and baby are doing well.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Cassowaries are back!
During the last month we have had some great Cassowary sightings on out guided walks. Cassowary poo has been evident on the paths for a few years now and the birds are not bothered by humans at all.
This is very gratifying, because for some time from about 1985 to 2000, cassowaries were rarely seen at Cape Tribulation. Researchers even suggested that at som point they must have been shot, as oral history recorded that they were common at Cape Tribulation as recently as the 1970s. Certainly I can remember them abeing common in my childhood.
Although forest clearing and predation by wild pigs definately affects there population, neither would seem to account for the decline in the 90s. In fact some areas of the Daintree maintained very high concentrations of Cassowaries even when other areas showed a decline.
My personal theory is that there must have been some sort of disease that came here in the introduced birds like chickens, ducks and geese that were bought in by settlers, that decimated the Cassowaries here. I suspect that we are now seeing the progeny of the resistant birds, and that is why numbers have been seen to increase from about 2000 onwards....
This is very gratifying, because for some time from about 1985 to 2000, cassowaries were rarely seen at Cape Tribulation. Researchers even suggested that at som point they must have been shot, as oral history recorded that they were common at Cape Tribulation as recently as the 1970s. Certainly I can remember them abeing common in my childhood.
Although forest clearing and predation by wild pigs definately affects there population, neither would seem to account for the decline in the 90s. In fact some areas of the Daintree maintained very high concentrations of Cassowaries even when other areas showed a decline.
My personal theory is that there must have been some sort of disease that came here in the introduced birds like chickens, ducks and geese that were bought in by settlers, that decimated the Cassowaries here. I suspect that we are now seeing the progeny of the resistant birds, and that is why numbers have been seen to increase from about 2000 onwards....
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Dugong Rescue Cape Tribulation
On August 17 2009, a tourist came into our shop and reported that he had seen a Dugong (Sea Cow, Manatee) stranded at the southern end of Coconut Beach. I went straight there, verified it, and rang The Bat House and National Parks. The bat House sent volunteers immediately to keep it went an prevent sunburn. They later built a shelter over it.
More locals arrived and a ranger, and it was decided not to wait for the tide which was hours off, but to use a tractor to move it to the sea. Rod from Cape Trib Sea kayaking provided the sling, Jason and Trav from Ocean Safari the muscle, and National Parks the tractor.
A lot of effort saw the dugong returned to the sea and swim away. A great result!
No-one seems sure why the dugong stranded. It was young male, perhaps inexperienced, who was inside the fringing reef at a time of rapid tide movement. maybe he will be more careful next time...
Sorry the pics are in the wrong order...they reversed when I loaded them!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Who is looking at who?
This White Lipped Green Tree Frog was discovered recently on a Mason's Nightwalk. At times it was hard to work out who was the spectator as the frog moved its head from side to side, checking out the walkers. Everyone was able to get fantastic shots, and this specimen was a really bright green.
White Lipped Green Tree Frogs can be seen any time of year, but are easier to spot in the green season, when they migrate to castal swamps at Cape Tribulation and breed in their thousands. The croaking sound like aboriginal clicking sticks from a distance.
Mason's nightwalks are on real jungle trails, with boardwalks or concrete paths. It is real jungle all the way. The guide carries a spotlight and all guests are given rechargeable flashlights.
Why not try the excitement of a Mason's Nightwalk when you come to the Daintree?
White Lipped Green Tree Frogs can be seen any time of year, but are easier to spot in the green season, when they migrate to castal swamps at Cape Tribulation and breed in their thousands. The croaking sound like aboriginal clicking sticks from a distance.
Mason's nightwalks are on real jungle trails, with boardwalks or concrete paths. It is real jungle all the way. The guide carries a spotlight and all guests are given rechargeable flashlights.
Why not try the excitement of a Mason's Nightwalk when you come to the Daintree?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February weather great!
Despite all the media hype, the weather at Cape Tribulation has been generally fantastic in February. While it is true that some areas, notably Ingham and Karumba have suffered massive floods, we have not.Ingham is well south of Cairns, near Townsville, and Karumba is on the west coast of Queensland, nowhere near here.
The picture was taken on the Valentine's day weekend, a couple of kilometres east of Cape Trib, and shows the wonderful calm conditions, and blue skys. The fish were biting too!
While it is true that March can be a very wet month here, I urge anyone thinking of coming here to ring first and ask about the weather on 07 40980070, rather than relying on the media.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Mason's Cafe Opens
Mason's Tours are pleased to announce the opening of Mason's Cafe. The cafe has been operational for some years but was previously leased and traded as Myall Creek Takeaway. Run by Sharon Mason, the cafe serves burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches,wraps, shakes, fresh juices and much more. Sharon is commited to having daily specials, and offerings so far have included Thai Fish Cakes, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Lasagne (including a yummy vego version), and Chicken Pasta salad.
Mason's Cafe sells Tichum Creek Coffee, grown on the Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns. 'Mario's Blend' is delicious, and the ground coffee can be purchased on site if you wish to take some home. Local Daintree Tea is also served, and likewise can be purchased on site.
All cakes and biscuits served on Mason's 4WD Tours are prepared in the Cafe, and being freshly baked are proving popular. Ann Mason has trained Sharon to make all the old favourites such as Banana and Walnut cake so look out for the family recipes on your next Mason's Tour.
Sharon is also making yummy decadent cakes for sale in the cafe well so look out for these when you visit!
Mason's Cafe also can cater to groups who want lunch as a one off or on a regular basis. Please phone 40980016 to order. Our Green season hours will be 1030 to 1600, but this may vary so ring to check if you are not sure.
Mason's Cafe is 34km north of the Daintree Ferry midway between Cape Trib Resort and Spa and PK's Jungle Village
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Amazing Crocodile Sighting
Last week, a nightwalk group went to Myall Creek as usual to look for Crocodiles. We see Crocs on average about half the time, and many of those sightings are simply the eyes shining back at us. As you can imagine, to see a whole Crocodile on foot, you need to be careful to keep safe, and its not always possible to get close enough on foot to get a really good look.
On this occassion, the guide was scanning the water with the spotlight when a huge commotion was heard up stream. The group went to investigate, and from a high bank were able to clearly see about a 3m Crocodile killing what they believe was a wild pig. For around 15 minutes they watched it death roll and snap at the pig. This is a very lucky sighting, and even for the guide, a once in a lifetime sighting.
The next night the Croc was still there, guarding its victim. Later in the week there was no sign, either the Croc moved the body, or it became soft enough to eat!
On this occassion, the guide was scanning the water with the spotlight when a huge commotion was heard up stream. The group went to investigate, and from a high bank were able to clearly see about a 3m Crocodile killing what they believe was a wild pig. For around 15 minutes they watched it death roll and snap at the pig. This is a very lucky sighting, and even for the guide, a once in a lifetime sighting.
The next night the Croc was still there, guarding its victim. Later in the week there was no sign, either the Croc moved the body, or it became soft enough to eat!
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