THE DEATH CHOKING VINE BIDED ITS TIME AND THEN STRUCK....

It remained quiet and still. I went outside to work on the yard and came near it not suspecting that it too had an agenda. It watched me.... waiting for the perfect time but I was too fast, armed, and determined. The fight was on and the noise was a steady bzzzzzz. It secreted a sweet syrup and attracted vicious bees who attacked. I held my ground

VERY HARD TO PHOTOGRAPH A DEATH STRUGGLE WHILE YOU ARE IN IT

But hey.....Nothing but the best for you guys is what I am always thinking. It is a good thing I had gloves on when the fight started because this thing was not soft to the touch. I tried to head lock it but I learned that it mimics what you do to it. Consequently it tried to head lock me.

LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING NOW...I AM RESTING AND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS

SEE BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY

IT USES STEALTH AS ITS PRIMARY WEAPON. YOU DON'T KNOW IT IS ON YOU UNTIL IT IS THEN IT DROPS ITS LOWER JAW, EXPOSES ITS TEETH AND .....

IT HAD THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE AND MADE ITS MOVE...I WAS STIRRED, BUT NOT SHAKEN (007)

IT TRIED TO CONVINCE ME TO SURRENDER...I HEARD IT OUT AS I PLANNED ITS DOOM

IT SUDDENLY JERKED AND SPUN AROUND CATCHING ME OFF GUARD

I GRABBED A FIRMER HOLD AND LOOKED IT STRAIGHT IN THE EYES....MY MESSAGE...PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER YOU WICKED VINE FROM HELL

WE BOTH WENT FOR IT..IT TRIED THE STRANGLE AND HOLD MOVE AFTER IT ESCAPED MY HEAD-LOCK AND I ESCAPED ITS COUNTER...WITH MY FREE HAND, I PULLED MY WEAPON OF CHOICE

IT REACHED UP AND TRIED TO GRAB MY ADAMS APPLE AND DO A QUICK CHOKE. I RAISED MY KNIFE WHILE GETTING A BETTER GRIP FOR THE DEATH BLOW. IT THOUGHT IT MIGHT WIN.... I KNEW BETTER

IT LET OUT A GASP   (ahhh) AND THEN FAINTING NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A DULL THUMP AS IT WENT LIMP

Finally...the death blow delivered. I also destroyed its nest and anything else associated with it. My backyard and the surrounding area is now safe once again....