"Death of a Naturalist" is a poem by Seamus Heaney that explores the transition from childhood innocence to the complexities of adulthood. The poem begins with the speaker's fascination with nature, particularly the life cycle of frogs and the beauty of the natural world. As the poem progresses, this admiration turns to fear and disgust when the speaker encounters the harsh realities of nature. The imagery shifts from the playful innocence of childhood to a more unsettling understanding of life and death, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the inevitable changes that come with growing up.