My next door neighbors have two grandsons who come over often. They were near the front of the their house at an overhanging part and were real excited about something. I called over and asked what was happening. They said something excitedly about a toad or frog. I didn't get it all. Well a toad or frog isn't too exciting but I had my camera in hand so I thought might investigate and at least explain to them the difference between a toad and frog. It was a pretty good chance it was a toad. I had just saved a small one from the lawn mower a few weeks back. I got there and was very surprised. The reason they didn't know what it was is seen here. It is half way engulfed by a 18" long Garter Snake. We moved a couple of wood chips off the snake and got this photo. I'm pretty sure this is a big female. It has great coloring.
I zoomed in and you can see the snake is in the process of swallowing the toad. It is a big toad and it is slowly going down.
The snake decided it didn't like me so close and came after me and raised up with the toad in its mouth. I moved back and then thought, what's it going to do, bite me with that full mouth. Why didn't I snap that shot. It had charged about 4 foot.
It came away from the house and toward the boys and I. I know it can't bite, so I moved in closer. It had moved quite a way so it headed back close to the house.
As you can see it has a long way to go with that toad and I wanted to get supper so I left him to his supper. I came back later but it had gone into hiding with a full belly.
This was a graphic display of life and death in the big city. It goes to show that all creatures need to eat to live and the circle of life continues. A Garter Snake is harmless to people but I don't like snakes. That's probably the reason I missed that one shot.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A Post With A Warning # 2
this is a continuation of real life happenings in the struggle for life. These are not staged photos these come from a true story that happened as posted. If your squeamish about nature pass on this one and yesterdays post. I have given fair warning so the story begins.
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27 comments:
appreciate the photography, could have done without the snake!
Gosh, this is so dangerous and good thing the boys spotted them. Still, thank you for sharing this FG.
I like how they eat a meal in one bite. Nice snake captures!
Cool stuff! Great shots!
Cheers, Klaus
Wow. Just can't believe you got some much circle of life stuff. Who gets to see that much of this? I always wondered if the poor victim is aware as it's being pulled in--since it takes so long--or if it is unconscious or dead right at the beginning. I should go look that up. Terrific series!
Well, you can tell from the comments that this is a guy type of post. And I'll stick with the girls on this one.
Don't like snakes, poisonous or not. They move too fast and are too brave.
But they are great pictures even it they are of a snakes dinner.
Good thing I'm not squeamish. (is that spelled right?)
Really neat shots even tho I don't like snakes of any kind.
WOW wonderful catch. Your neighborhood has been busy with nature.
The circle of life. Not always pretty, but always there.
Survival of the fitest!!
Cool posts and pictures. Well done :-)
wonderful captures. a national geographic photo series. well done
Evlahos summed it up: you are producing photos that need to be in National Geographic. Great photos though I admit didn't like looking at them since I hate snakes and I have had more run ins with snakes than one person should have in a life time. Someday I will have to blog about the poisonous snake that was in my house in Arizona. How about a flower photo for tomorrow. We must be getting close to Halloween because you are sure giving us some scarry stuff lately.
Very terrible snake!
Yuk! Amazing captures, but I don't think I'll "try this at home!" nor anyplace else...lol
Check out the new Watery Wednesday that I found, hope you'll be interested. I put a link on my blog.
Yowza! Great shots and I commend you on the ones you DID manage to take!
Life and death, dancing together.
Well, maybe not dancing.......
Have a super day!
An amazing set of photos. A similar thing happened at the side of my front door years ago. I came home one day to see a snake swallowing a frog. It seemed to take ages for it to go down. I called animal control as it wasn't going anywhere and I didn't know if it was poisonous. After I described it to them they told me it was harmless, to please leave it alone and it would go away eventually. Well, needless to say I wasn't going to bother it, just didn't want it biting my kid or any of his friends when they came home from school. An interesting experience but I didn't think to take photos. Glad you did.
Wow - nature at its cruelest! Neat shot!
Next thing I know-you're going to be snapping pics for National Geographic! I'm glad the boys got your attention.
well done F.G Nature at is best!
Great capture Fishing Guy!
Mmmm... taste's like chicken. Tremendous shots, Fishing Guy!!
*shiver* That's cool but still really hard to watch but hey, they gotta survive, right? Good captures!!!
Lets just say YUCK! Not sure I would have stuck around and got the entire process myself.
When I saw the snake sure was glad it was NOT eating a hummingbird.
Another great posting and nature shots. How lucky to be able to catch that meal on camera... excellent.
I'm glad you gave a warning!..look out David Attenborough FG is here! :D
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