December 24: Beetle

[neverspent]

We have cold rain today. Thanks to weather forecasting, we knew it was coming days ahead and it provided a little extra urgency for getting some farm chores finished while it was still dry. Even if you've never mucked lean-to before, I'm sure it's not hard to imagine that manure is a lot easier to shovel when it's not wet! The same is true for leaves, of course. I spent about two hours raking and hauling leaves that were encroaching on the front porch like the Gobi Desert's advance in Northern China. I just moved them away to where they could compost in peace. In the process, I also ended up moving a pile of grass clippings that had been left from the summer. And I discovered a lovely green beetle. Hello, lovely!



I made sure to put some more nice covering there for him so he can spend the winter cozy in the ground.

Comments

[donutsweeper]

wow, it's beautiful

[neverspent]

I haven't had time to look him up, but I know I've seen this variety before. I don't know why a mainly underground dwelling beetle would need an irridescent shell, but they are gorgeous! :)

[15_the_circle]

I'm sure it's not hard to imagine that manure is a lot easier to shovel when it's not wet!

My limited experience with this particular chore was on visiting my sister in Alaska, where I learned that subzero temperatures actually made mucking out the horse's stall easier.  It was more like scooping out the cat box though on a larger scale -- and colder of course. 

[neverspent]

Alaska, neat! And yes, I bet it was easier! I have only extremely rarely dealt with those kind of temperatures, but I'd rather pick up fresh manure when it's frozen than not. :)