09/13/06 The Crocodile Hunter

Some of you can recall where you were the day John Lennon died. Years from my two sons, twenty and twenty-four will retain with that same poignancy, the memory of where they were labor Day weekend 2006 when Australian naturalist Steve Irwin was killed by a sting ray. You see, they grew up with the "Crocodile Hunter." Steve taught them to get down on the level with wildlife, look it in the eye, yet respect it. From Irwin antics Austin and Tommy learned to seek, and adore adventure; roll that rock over, peer under the log or climb the tree. Of course snake handling was a skill I never fully appreciated yet I respected the fact that thanks to Steve, rattle snakes don't rattle my sons. The boys also gave high marks to Steve's best mate and wife Terrie, Oh they got a kick out of her pluck. Better yet she was from Oregon, proving that there were actually gals worth their salt in the Northwest. We will miss the Crocodile hunter who despite an era of electronics; game boys, computers and ipods proved that the natural world could still be utterly captivating