For months , a strange , short moaning sound has been heard at various locations close to the house . At times it was like a dog barking . The initial supposition was a wretched cane toad calling . Searching likely toad locations failed to locate the moaner . Then - bark, bark . Followed by a moan .
While sitting in this blog's den , late in the afternoon , after days of silence ,there was a distinct bark , not very far away . Alerted to the presence of the mystery moaner , this writer let forth with a doggy yelp. No response.
Back to pounding out golden prose on the computer , there was another loud moan ... followed by a distinct bark very close by .
Sliding upon the door , this blogger stood in public view in the driveway , making occasional barking noises , keen to lure out the mysterious longtime resident.
Eureka ! A loud moan was heard coming from an area where there was a garbage bin used to catch runoff from the roof and a large pot with a potted Desert Rose on top.
A close examination of the garbage bin and nearby rockery failed to find any sign of ET. In true crime scene investigation style the Desert Rose potplant was lifted out , resulting in an explosion of escaping black ants.
And there was Frank Sinatra , the old groaner hisself, a large native frog in a dark corner of the larger pot . He obviously did not want to be disturbed, gave a little moan , as if to say go away and leave me in peace with the tasty ants , added :"Turn off the bloody lights !"
Days later, a check on the frog discovered that he had moved upstairs as it were into the Desert Rose pot .