Croc Capers

by Irwin, Bindi; Kunz, Chris

• ISBN13: 9781402273735
• ISBN10: 1402273738
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-08-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Summary

The next installment of this hit series features stories that are inspired and co-created by Bindi Irwin, daughter of the iconic wildlife expert, Steve Irwin. Bindi, Robert and Terri Irwin are on their annual crocodile-tagging trip in the Cape York Peninsula, the home of the extraordinary Steve Irwin wildlife Reserve. When Bindi and Rober chance upon a camp site set up by a father and daughter behaving like two fish out of water, they soon discover the real reason behind their trip to the reserve.

Excerpts

<p><b>Chapter One</b></p><p>Bindi and Robert Irwin tiptoed through the bushland. </p><p>"Was that...?" asked Robert, looking up at a nearby stringybark tree.</p><p>"Shhhh!" replied Bindi.</p><p>Way off in the distance, an unusual drumming sound could be heard.</p><p>"We're getting closer," whispered Bindi, and brother and sister continued tracking the noise.</p><p>The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve first thing in the morning was a hive of activity. Cockatoos were squawking, lizards were scuttling, and crocs were lurking in the nearby waters of the Wenlock River. Having been woken by the pre-dawn chorus of birds, the siblings were now stalking the elusive palm cockatoo, a beautiful coal-black cockatoo with a large floppy crest and shiny red cheeks that looked like they'd been painted on by an overexcited three-year-old.</p><p>Finally the duo found the source of the repetitive drumming. It was a remarkable sight. The cheeky palm cockatoo was holding on to a stick with his claw and banging it against a tree branch, deep in concentration.</p><p>Robert was amazed. "I thought you were making it up, Bindi!" he said.</p><p>"If you ever need a drummer for your bush band, little buddy, now you know who to ask." She smiled.</p><p>"But why do they do it?" asked Robert.</p><p>"It's to sound out their territory. He's telling the other birds that this is where he lives and not to take him on."</p><p>"Cool," said Robert.</p><p>"Super cool," agreed Bindi.</p><p>A second later the drumming stopped. A flock of nearby cockatoos squawked loudly and rose like an angry cloud into the clear blue sky. The trill of a great bowerbird could be heard, sounding as though he was complaining about his noisy neighbors.</p><p>"Something's got the birds annoyed," said Robert.</p><p>Bindi was looking in the direction of the dirt track. "I think I can hear a four-wheel drive coming."</p><p>"We weren't expecting any more of the croc-tagging team today, were we?" asked Robert.</p><p>"Don't think so," replied Bindi.</p><p>Each year the siblings and a team of expert crocodile handlers visited the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve to conduct research into crocodile behavior. The Cape York Peninsula was crocodile heaven, and the kids thought it was a pretty perfect place to be as well. This was their favorite classroom in the world, and they loved being able to sit outdoors under towering eucalypts, watching the Australian bush put on its daily performance. </p><p>This was remote country-the nearest town, Weipa, was over 50 miles of rough terrain away, so it was unusual to get visitors just dropping in. </p><p>"Should we hang around and say g'day?" asked Robert. "It doesn't sound like the ranger's truck."</p><p>Bindi looked at her brother, feeling unsettled. "I wonder who it could be." </p><p>The cockatoos still hadn't returned to their gum trees.</p><p>"I reckon we should blend into the bush and see who these fellas are," suggested Robert.</p><p>Bindi smiled. "You're on. First one up the tree's the winner." </p><p>The kids raced off to find the perfect tree to climb...although neither could shake the feeling that this unexpected visitor may not be welcome here.</p>