I was photographing this Garter Snake on Wednesday. Garter Snakes are a pretty common sight in our yard, some of them are pretty huge too. I took a couple photos and then moved on to finish building the melon trellis. About 10 minutes later I went to find a tool I needed and found that the snake was eating....
this toad. My first thought was to make it let go but then realized that's what it eats so I let it be. I was really surprised a snake with such a small mouth could eat this big toad but it did. It took about 15 minutes and once it was past its jaws the toad moved very quickly to the center of the snakes body. Very interesting to watch.
I was happy that it didn't eat this red toad that I have seen in the patch many times this spring. I have never seen a red toad before and might have had to kick some snake butt if it had this one.
I was photographing this Garter Snake on Wednesday. Garter Snakes are a pretty common sight in our yard, some of them are pretty huge too. I took a couple photos and then moved on to finish building the melon trellis. About 10 minutes later I went to find a tool I needed and found that the snake was eating....
this toad. My first thought was to make it let go but then realized that's what it eats so I let it be. I was really surprised a snake with such a small mouth could eat this big toad but it did. It took about 15 minutes and once it was past its jaws the toad moved very quickly to the center of the snakes body. Very interesting to watch.
I was happy that it didn't eat this red toad that I have seen in the patch many times this spring. I have never seen a red toad before and might have had to kick some snake butt if it had this one.
Oh...whimper...I know it's a part of nature, but to be eaten alive is just cruel. I had a little red spotted toad on my porch in AZ. I used to go out in the evenings to watch him, he was adorable. I was surprised to see a toad in the desert, I always associated them with wet areas.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. Luckily not too many toads or snakes on the balcony (don't deal well with them). Is a garter snake poisonous? I'm guessing no, but still!
ReplyDeleteIt pains me to see the frog eaten but it IS the way things work and the snake is definitely interesting and helpful to the garden too - as both the snake and frog also eat bugs!
ReplyDeleteQuite an opportunity to have actually caught that in a photo.
It's amazing what a person can see happening in nature, if they take the time to really look. Good photos, Dan!
ReplyDeleteNice photos! And great timing to be able to see the process. It is hard to see, but like you said, just a part of nature. I haven't seen a red toad. We only get plain old brown. But we do get the garter snakes, especially around our ponds (because of all the frogs).
ReplyDeleteNice timing. We had pet snakes for a long time, and I loved watching them eat. We used to have a big black rat snake in my yard in Tennessee, but none yet in CA.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you made a little safe house for the red guy he'd be able to keep up slug watch for you.
I would be so sad to lose a toad in my garden. I don't get many. Luckily the garter snakes tend to keep to the other side of the hill. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a lucky shot for a photographer even though a bit awful to have to witness. We see a lot of things going on in our yard with the wildlife and must remind ourselves to stay clear and let nature take its course. Now when I see OJ kitty going after a bird, I do step in. The most difficult thing is to refrain myself from going out and petting a fawn which has been bedded down in the yard. They are so cute and I want to love on them but know it is wrong so I don’t go near them but to photograph which I usually do while staying low at a window. Even though a bit nasty at times, it is fun to have Wild Kingdom the nature show going on live in my yard right in front of my eyes…
ReplyDeleteOh my!
ReplyDeleteWe found a 5-foot corn snake in our backyard bush last year... eating a whole bird. How a snake could get the drop on a bird is beyond me, but it was impressive to watch.
ReplyDeleteThat frog looks really really zen, considering the circumstances. Maybe there was something in the pond water...
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! I can't believe you caught that shot... sorry for the loss of the toad though...
ReplyDeleteWe have some snakes around here. Lots of black snakes and rat snakes. We try our best to keep them out of the garden and so far, so good. I'm still always careful though. I would hate to reach down to pick something and come back with a handful of snake YIKES!
Wow, that's quite an event to capture !
ReplyDeleteMakes me realize I never get toads or frogs in my garden, and haven't seen a garter snake in a long long time.
I can't believe that you CAUGHT that happening! How did you get so close? You must be used to the site of snakes in the garden. I started some broccoli seeds as well (got them for my birthday from my sister) for a late crop. Here's looking forward to more adventures in your garden!!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite something to witness! We have loads of toads and newts on our plot. No snakes though! The real problem at the moment are rabbits that have taken up residence and are eating everything in site. Very annoying!
ReplyDeleteLOL
ReplyDeletethe calm on that toads face reminds me of a scene in the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
where teh bowl of petunia's say "oj no not again"
I haven't seen any snakes in my little city yard yet (although I have seen a little bunny and a slow-moving oppossum). That's the same kind of snake that they found two of at a community garden work day that were hiding out under some old wood. Not sure how I would handle it in my own back yard (not too anxious to find out either).
ReplyDelete