He prayeth well who loveth well both man and bird and beast.

After all the years I have watched and admired Steve Irwin I found the news of his death to be very sad and tragic. As a photographer I have always dreamed of visiting Australia to photograph snakes and any other reptiles I might encounter. On that same note, I have long been a fan of visiting Africa for the same reason. To photograph snakes in the wild.

Like Australia I have read and studied quite a lot about Africa in case the opportunity were ever to arise that I would be able to visit. Some of the material I have read in regard to Africa is from Isak Dinesen (aka Baroness Karen Blixen) author of the book and well known movie, "Out of Africa".

Upon reading another book about the life of Baroness Blixen I came across the obituary of her lover Denys George Finch Hatten from The Times, London 1931. The very last paragraph, quoted below, is what struck a chord in my heart on our loss of Steve Irwin.

"He died, as he would have chosen, in the open air, amid the wide spaces that he loved, fearless and free to the end; and the charm of his wonderful personality and companionship is something which those who know him will treasure throughout their lives."

And finally, listed below, the simple lines that were placed upon Finch Hatton's grave taken from "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner".

"He prayeth well who loveth well both man and bird and beast."

While our pain is real to each of us it is only the slightest flick of a flame compared to his family's pain. I found those passages above to be comforting and wanted to share them with others.

She's no friend to Steve Irwin

As for Germaine Greer's rude and nasty comments about Steve Irwin, this is what I posted to a news site.

Sent to Courier Mail Australia:

Like other's, Greer is jealous of Steve's accomplishments. Her ignorant comments look exactly like they are – a load of media- attention-seeking claptrap. Many years from now it will be Steve Irwin's love of his family and of the animals and nature that he spoke so passionately of and shared so openly. The life of "an ordinary bloke" that shared an extraordinary life with the world will be remembered with love, respect and fierce loyalty forever. Greer however will fade into obscurity as the miserable, unpleasant person she is.

I hope she sees that.

Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin Dead

My son came and told me that he had heard that Steve Irwin had been killed today. I simply didn't believe him so I checked online. Unfortunately my eyes read what my heart wasn't ready to hear.

According to news.com.au

Quoted from the story:

WORLD EXCLUSIVE by reporters from The Courier-Mail,
Brisbane September 04, 2006 01:56pm

"THE Crocodile Man, Steve Irwin, is dead. He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said. It appeared that he was killed by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest, Queensland Police Inspector Russell Rhodes said"

Read the entire story on one of the world's most well known and loved animal activists.

For the rest of my life I will mourn his loss as an educator and animal conservationist as well as a human being that showed such a love and zest for not only life in general but for the lives of the animals he talked of so often.

I will do my best to do at least one thing in my life that will help to carry on Steve's message of animal conservation and I know that I will never forget him.