First I would like to offer condolences to the family. To lose such a powerful figure in the lives of this family will be devastating. God be good to them and him.

This obituary thread, as so often happens, has taken on a subtext. I want you all to mark this post well. You won't see it often.

Ready?

I agree, for the most part, with Shambles. Not on his callous dismissal of a life, or even his aspersions on the good done for conservation. But his criticisms of todays shows, mostly imitations of Irwin's work, are spot on. Growing up in the 50's and 60's, we used to see the marvelous work done by wildlife videographers that clearly took months of dedication. It clearly sought to not impose on the animals world, but instead to observe. There was not a need for much dramatics, the pureness of the natural world provided it. And, if one were interested, one came to understand how it all works together. Todays shows seem to ignore the intricacies of how it all works together, the predators and scavengers, the prey and the prairie, if favor of focusing on just the life, death, danger and, most of all, the thrill. I don't feel it encourages a love and respect of nature.

Ramble, off.

Mick