June | 2009 | Playing Chess with Pigeons

Here we have a Ten-lined June beetle (Polyphylla s.) that my uncle found at work and thought I might like to have. What is fun about these critters is that they make a defensive hissing noise when touched. And that is beetle and not “bug” as I mistakenly say in the video.

Here’s a nice close up picture of a Polyphylla by Derrick Ditchburn on a site called “Whispers in Nature” (looks like they’ve got lots of nice critter pics):

Ten-lined June beetle (Polyphylla)

Anyway, the poor little guy (actually I don’t know the sex of this individual), goes into the freezer to be dispatched. Later I will thaw it out, pin it up, and add it to my small insect collection.

Well, while working on the house/yard over the last couple weeks I managed to hurt my shoulder to the point where I have trouble even siting and typing at the computer or even concentrating on things (AKA Hell). I finally broke down and went to the doctor (lost my med. insurance when my work hours got cut) and was told that I am developing some arthritis in my shoulder which I apparently exacerbated by over-working it.

The Doc prescribed some pills which after a week don’t seem to have done much. Of course he also suggested that I take some time of work, however that is not an option.

So, yeah, this is basically a whine-fest, poor me post.