Love Hurts

This is Everett. Everett is 3 years old and addicted to insects. Fortunately for him, Japan is a country with more than enough bugs to go around. He is the proud owner of numerous beetles, both large and small, and regularly plays with many others (although he is permitted to on a catch and release basis only). He frequently gets pinched, but, surprisingly, this does nothing to curtail his obsession.

A moment ago, he was playing with his pet kokuwagata (miniature stag beetle) and asked me to take this picture. I thought I would share this tender moment with you. It looks scary, but it is the bug who is in great danger--it has already lost an antenna as a result of its "friendship" with my dear son. But like they say, love is a battlefield.