Last week Chris saw a dead mole when we were out on a cycle. Poor mole.. but an opportunity this time to get a closer look at those feet.
It was not in very good shape, a bit chewed, very smelly and with circling flies but I did bring it home for some quick sketches and photos.
The front feet are extraordinary, huge and paddle shaped with long pointed claws. The skin is leathery and deeply scored. I have a lot of respect for the moles who attempt the heavy clay soil around here.
I sketched the rather handsome hovering iridescent green bottle fly too. Its all part of the cycle after all.
Mole is now buried under the apple tree in a box. I am hoping the flies, bugs and microbes will work well in this warm weather and in a few months time I might have a relatively clean skull!
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