'Mounds are an organisational wonder. The equivalent of the larger mounds, in human terms, would be a skyscraper nearly two kilometres high and covering eight city blocks, built by a million blindfod people!'
from Animals of Cape York Pennisula


The soldier termites associated with the mounds in our pictures do not have powerful jaws but are built like squirt guns that can squirt sticky fluid at intruders to immobilize them . Now that it has rained the termites will expand their nests by adding another "bulge" made of particles of wet earth cemented together with termite poop (I guess termites may not have a sense of smell or have one that appreciates different smells than we do?!).


All this and termites are essential to making digeridoos irrevocably associated with Australia (to me anyway)!


Known by many names (depending on Australian region/peoples), digeridoos are wind instruments with a sound much like a drone pipe. No one is sure of exact age of origin but estimates usually are around 1500 years.


Traditional instruments are made from suitable hardwood trees hollowed out by termite activity. Prep includes removing bark, testing resonance, cleaning. A rim of beeswax is applied to mouth piece. Average length: 55 inches but can be up to 15 feet.


Traditionally used as an accompaniment to ceremonial dancing and singing, they are now also used recreationally by aboriginals plus.