Don't Open the Box

Remember the mysterious box I carried on a plane? Do you remember what was in it? Do you remember the toads that kept me up at night. Night after night?

On my last Everglades tour I was handed a box and told not to open it. The box was about 12"x 12" and when I picked it up it shook. What's in it? A giant toad! How big could it be? I opened the box. The toad was huge.Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) were introduced into the Everglades in 1955 to help control grubs and other pests in the sugar cane fields. They range from the Rio Grande down into South America but are a nuisance not only here in the swamps and farms but throughout the world, most notably in Australia.

The problem with Cane Toads is that when threatened, they produce a nasty neurotoxin - a milky substance that they release from the paratoid gland at the back of their head. They may not give warts, but those bumps can secrete a liquid that will burn your eyes and cause a rash on your skin. Predators that eat them are poisoned which often kills them. This is an obvious problem for our native wildlife including other frogs and toads that unknowingly feed on smaller Cane Toads. Survival rate is not good. Cane Toads (AKA Giant Toad or arine Toad) also compete with our native amphibians for food. This one was huge. About the size of a cantelope. I didn't squeeze it for freshness. The largest recorded Cane Toad was 15 inches long and weighed nearly 6 pounds. This one was about 8 inches long. And I'm guessing 25 pounds. I didn't weigh it.

Eventually this one will end up as Boa Constrictor food. Boas are immune to the toxin.

Selfishly I take exception to their presence because they inhabit the pond outside the apartment and sing a deafening chorus during the breeding season. Imagine a WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA at the same decibel as an 18 wheeler and you get the idea.

I'm not sure how to end this. But all is quiet outside tonight.

Sand Witches, Sand Pigs and a Naughty Sand Santa

I hate sand. It's a terrible ice cream topping. It sticks to everything. I've never liked it and it's nearly impossible to get me to the beach let alone in the water. But Fort Myers Beach held their 22nd annual National Sand Sclupting Championship this week and the beach loving, art enthusiast that is Ma-Le would never have forgiven me if I hadn't put up with a little sand in my shorts to see some of the most amazing sand sculptors on the planet. Check them out and vote for your favoriteIt starts with a wedding cake. Each sculptor of which I believe there were over 30, begins earlier in the week. Except for this guy. They all have their own water on hand in what looks like the worst kiddie pool ever.
Most start at the top and work their way down. Some have a small sand model to work from. Some have sketches. Some simply dig in (using very sand specific tools for carving, scooping, drilling and shaving).
The event draws thousands of people down the beach. For those without fantastic connections, parking is a nightmare. (Not for me! Thanks Kenny and Michelle!) They use a "wet glue" to make sure the whole thing doesn't fall apart on them. I assume the pray for no rain. Not sure if the glue would hold up in more than a drizzle. (Sand Buccaneer)Many are over eight feet tall and depending on the perspective - look like enormous life-sized castles. The scuptures. Not the sculuptors. (Eischer in the sand)Some are naughty (Sanda Clause in Naughty is Nice)Some are nice (Old McDonald Had a Band)Some are deeply personal (Taken) I believe this was in memory of the sculptors daughter who had passed away a month earlier.Some are reflections of the sea. (Neptune's Daughter)

Some reflections of the sky. (Soaring over Sand)

Ma-Le's favorite (Paris Vacation) which is surprising since she has said "I don't like nuthin' French". Turns out she was talking about bread.

My favorite (Above the Clouds and Over the Moon)

A close 2nd favorite. (Sun over Moon)

My third favorite - the traditional castle. It was here that I had to restrain Ma-Le who wanted to dive into this one. I guess I can't complain. 75 degrees, no humidity and just a bit of sand between my toes. I can deal with that.