This weekend, in addition to my uncle that died, I learned of another who died. The Australian 'crocodile hunter' Steve Irwin died, after a stingray barb got into his heart. He pulled the long poison coated barb out, and died shortly after. Steve had been doing a program on the stingrays, so his death has been captured on film. Eerily, the Sun Times remembers a 2002 interview, in which he said, "If I'm going to die, at least I want it filmed." He got it filmed.

Most people are remembering him fondly, but there are a few who aren't. Germaine Greer told "the Guardian newspaper she found Irwin's behavior "bizarre" and "revolting," claiming nature had "finally taken its revenge" for harassing the animals he handled." Her remarks are thoughtless and not true. Certainly, as I've watched his shows in the past, I thought he took many risky chances, getting too close to animals. I remember a spitting cobra that spat all over the movie camera and nearly spat in his eyes.

But revenge wasn't what that stingray had in mind. For whatever reason, it might have felt threatened (police who have seen the video said the stingray had NOT been provoked by Irwin), and the stinger mechanically sprang forth. That it landed in Irwin's heart and not an arm or leg was simply very unlucky. Whether or not we think he took too many chances, there was no doubt he loved animals and worked hard in conservation efforts.

I found the Animal Planet show Confessions of a Crocodile Hunter very interesting as he and his family answered revealing questions. It was clear his family and mates loved him dearly. He was asked, "What do you most want to be remembered for after your death?" Steve answered, "For my passion and enthusiasm." It was true, he was a very passionate and enthusiastic dynamo. My thoughts go to his family.