Cycle of Life: Garter Snake vs. Bluebelly Lizard

NOTE: Please forgive the tragic nature of these images. It is not my intention to offend, alarm or disgust my visitors, but only to educate and enlighten.

About a month ago I was out taking pictures of Larkspur flowers when I heard rustling about 20 feet away. I stood and slowly moved in that direction, looking very carefully as I went. At first I saw nothing, but then I gasped quietly in surprise when I located the source of the noise. It was a garter snake that had just caught a blue-belly lizard, something I'd never witnessed in my life! The two were completely still as I creeped towards them, and I began taking pictures and tried not to disturb the event unfolding before me. Some may wonder why I didn't try to save the lizard, but it's not right to meddle with this cycle of life. This garter snake must eat. The lizard wasn't wary enough, and its genes will not pass to the next generation, but a more wary lizard's genes will.

For me, this was a chance of a lifetime!! I've been out in the woods for countless hours from when I was a child and I've seen so many things, but this is the first time I've witnessed a snake's successful hunt. I am so happy that I could take these pictures, and I was quiet and slow enough that I was able to take all the pictures I wanted. When I was done, I backed away slowly and left the area, thrilled at what I got to see.

A few days later another astonishing thing happened. I was walking down our road, very close to this spot, when I noticed something sticking out of the grass. To my amazement, a garter snake--and I believe it was the same one--had raised itself up about a foot off the ground and was staring into my eyes, I kid you not! We stared at one another for about two seconds when one of my dogs broke the trance by coming over, and quick as a flash, the snake turned and zipped away into the grass!! Never in my life have I seen this happen. Truly remarkable! And finally, if you can believe it, this happened AGAIN several days ago, but for just a few seconds this time...the snake seemed to recognize me and sank back into the grass to go on his way before we could lock eyes. So interesting!

This image was taken in April, 2012.