I have always loved animals. Even my own children have made fun of me for the extremes I go to protect animals. They laugh as I shoo boxelder bugs out the front door or transport a giant spider to a safer place.

When I was a coordinator at the Bonanza Education Center I experienced animal cruelty that haunts me to this day. A third grade student screamed, “Mr. Mike!” and pointed to a huge, and I mean huge, spider resting on some decaying plant debris.

To this day I have never seen a spider that large. As I bent over to examine the  giant arachnid another third grade boy did just what third grade boys often do when such a creature is encountered. Somehow he very quickly located a large, flat rock and I felt it whiz past my head and completely flattened that magnificent creature.

The ‘respect for life lecture’ was then given but it was a little late for the spider’s well being. 🙁

My heart still breaks every time I recall that spider’s demise.

This weekend I was visiting with my Grandson who works as a lineman and he shared with me an equally disturbing story. In the process of moving a small building garter snakes were discovered residing under the structure.

Several of the workers began savaging the snakes. My Grandson said one of the young men grabbed several of the snakes by their tales and beat them like whips into the ground.

I wonder what kind of parents and/or teachers were responsible for raising that young person to adulthood? On second thought has adulthood been reached yet?

Last week I faced a dilemma when I came across two animals in mortal combat. I wanted to cheer for both opponents but I knew in nature there is always a winner and a loser in these situations. However this time I was in a position to choose who the winner would be. What to do? What to do?

I had been down on my hands and knees in my pumpkin patch pulling weeds. Pigweeds, purslane and an occasional thistle had been keeping me busy when suddenly the peace and quiet of the garden was interrupted by a piercing cry.

I was startled by the eerie sound.

The taller grass by the garden fence began to sway back and forth. It became obvious two mystery animals were doing battle in that tall grass.

Meanwhile the piercing cry continued. What could be making those panicked sounds?

I walked slowly toward the swaying grass fearing what I was going to discover.

Suddenly a large Leopard Frog arose from the swaying grass. One of its back legs however was being held tightly by something and a tug-a-war had ensued.

And then a shiny, bright coil decorated with narrow yellow stripes separated by dark blotches rose from the grass. It was a huge garter snake and the snake was in the process of swallowing the panicked frog’s back leg!

The bright colors of the garter snake alerted me to the fact that it had just shed its skin. During this process the eyes of the snake become cloudy and food capture becomes difficult if not impossible. Since the shedding process takes a little over a week that makes for one hungry snake.

So I was witnessing a garter snake desperately in need of food.

The large frog probably had a gut stuffed with insects, pill bugs and centipedes so hunger was not its problem. However it was in desperate need of escape!

In my mind I was thinking, “Okay, Mr. Environmentalist what is your responsibility in this battle for survival?”

I knelt down and continued to pull weeds as the piercing plea of the doomed frog continued.

I wanted so badly to leap up and grab the frog and rip it out of the snakes expanding jaws.

By this time most of the leg would have been swallowed as the remaining leg would be hyperextended and be parallel with the body of the frog. Once this stage had been reached the swallowing would have continued rather quickly.

So sadly I continued to pull weeds and listen to the last shrieks of the frog as it entered the snake’s digestive system. 🙁

I hope my reaction (or lack of reaction)  didn’t horrify you the reader.

The way I look at it two good things resulted from that weed pulling experience in the garden that morning. One huge garter snake obtained a much needed meal and as the prey lost its life it made it possible for another frog to continue living its life.

Actually come to think about it there were three good things resulting from that ‘lunch in the garden’ experience. An old retired biology teacher was reminded about the survival of the fittest and in nature not every story has a happy ending.

Until next time.