Playing Wildlife Photographer

It was a warm September afternoon, shortly after the boys had returned to school, when I was sitting out on my back lawn playing with our puppy. He was used to lots of attention and a much busier house over the summer holidays and now that it was just him and me for the day he was a bit bored and restless. 


So there we were sitting on the grass playing a little tug of war and enjoying the warm day when I spotted a snake by the sand box. Truth is, I saw it a couple of times while we played but it never moved and I was distracted and I guess I just kind of passed it off as one of the boys toys. Until, eventually the dog lied down still beside me and my mind started wondering if the boys even owned one of those rubber snakes.  My eyes followed the tail all the way up to the THAT’S NOT A RUBBER SNAKE!

The snakes mouth was closed over a big toad and I was amazed that they were both so still. We were a little more than an arms length away! I quickly put the dog inside the house and grabbed my camera. I knew the boys would find this equally fascinating and gross like me! 

snake-eats-toad-700

So I made a wide pass around the snake and climbed the kids play structure for a better view, and well, to keep away from the snake! He didn’t like me hovering above him much though so he took his prize and headed off 

snake carrying toad

He stopped for his snack just beside our deck so I slowly made my way over and up above him. He wasn’t leaving without his meal so I just watched and waited. 

snake eats toad

He was quite a long garter snake! He’s obviously eating well. 

garter snake

And while I don’t think I’ll be winning any wildlife videographer of the year awards, I did try to capture some interesting video footage as well.

So look, I get it, poor toad right? But that’s nature for ya, it was quite fascinating for the boys and I was kind of sad they didn’t get to witness it on their own but truth be told they probably would have scared it away lol Needless to say it was one creepy cool lesson in the circle of life right in our own backyard.

Comments

  1. Kim Hamilton says

    Not exactly what I was anticipating reading about… Haha Very interesting thing to spot in the yard though!

  2. What!! So cool! I can’t wait to show my daughters; they’re going to love this!!

  3. Doris Calvert says

    Oh no poor toad, sorry I would have batted the snake, do not like them and poor toad, but circle of life is right, it happens everyday we just don’t see it and it really is amazing!

  4. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    Good grief, that was certainly a shock seeing these photos. I do feel sorry for the toad being eaten alive but that’s nature I guess. I’m sure that I wouldn’t have had the nerve to take photos as it happened though. You are one brave woman!

  5. Judy Cowan says

    Yikes…snake I would of been out of there! Poor toad! Great photos though.

  6. Wow! That’s pretty nifty. And I’m amazed you were able to get such great pictures.

  7. kathy downey says

    Amazing capture,poor toad.!

  8. My boys would have went crazy if they saw this. WOW!

  9. Cheryl MacPhail says

    Oh gross lol I would be like you though amazed and showing the kids! lol

  10. Great shots of that! Not sure I should watch the vid. lol

  11. Victoria Ess says

    Aw poor toad!

  12. I would have been inside with the dog lol!

  13. Chandra O'Connor says

    The poor frog!

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