Another week has flown by and it is time for Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge! His prompt words were stag and noise. I love this fall theme he has going on with the image above. The crimson leaves are refreshing after the greens of summer!
Speaking of fall, this is the time that the deer really start to get into action and begin the “rut.” Wikipedia shares:
“The rut for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) usually lasts from 1–3 months in the Northern Hemisphere and may occur most of the year in tropical zones. The rut is the time when white-tailed deer, especially bucks, are more active and less cautious than usual. This makes them easier to hunt, as well as more susceptible to being hit by motor vehicles.[1] The buck has one thing on his mind at this time of the year: to find as many does as he can. He will chase after many does for weeks, barely eating. The rut can take its toll on the bucks: they are usually quite worn out by the end of the breeding season.
Some people[who?] believe that the white-tailed deer rut is also controlled by the lunar phase and that the rut peaks seven days after the second full moon (the rutting moon) after the autumnal equinox on 21 September.”
Male deer in rut – Image credit: Pixabay free photos
Regal stag’s battle –
as deer antlers blast and smash,
a solo doe waits.
Doe, waiting for the winner – Image Credit: Pixabay free images
Thanks for stopping by. I sure enjoyed seeing all of you!
I love the nonchalance of the doe waiting for her stag, despite what he has to go through to get to her!
Thanks. That is just the “opposite” effect I was after with the two stags fighting over the one female! As usual in the animal kingdom… the female sits and waits. 😀
Ha Ha! Yes, indeed 🙂
Nice alliteration of the fight juxtaposed with the assonance of the last line.
Judith, I worked hard on the sounds and in obtaining an “opposite” in the last line. I am humbled by your praise. I had to look some of your words up to know what I had done. Thank you! Have you done it if you didn’t know you were doing it? <3
Great haiku, I imagined something along these lines when I saw the words. Wonderful to see such a connecting haiku and to add the matching images..
Thank you. It was perfect for fall. 😊
Loved the whole post–interesting info about their mating season at this time of year, great pictures, and the haiku flows in two sentences.
Thanks, Janice. I thought the rut part was really interesting.
Hi! Yes it was and the thought that it occurs 7 days after the 2nd full moon after the autumn equinox. Another upcoming event after the lunar eclipse!
Cool! Autumn is just great! 💗
I’m replying for Judith, here, but I’m pretty sure you’ve done it even if you just knew what effect you wanted but wouldn’t have given it a name…:) Lovely contrast and very effective.
Thanks Olga-Judith! I love learning more about poetry. 💗
I loved this Colleen. Stags work so hard to mate at this time of the year. I loved you line: a solo deer waits.
All of that hard work and battling for the chance to mate, again. Nature can be hard, but so magnificent. x
Dorne, thank you for your lovely comments. I am in an autumn frame of mind, even though it is still hot here in Florida. I am fascinated by deer. Really interesting creatures.
lovely Haiku, as always. There is a video on YouTube that shows a farmer separating two dear with locked antlers.
Wow! Their battles can sometime be grueling.
I wonder if they are able to separate on their own, or do they eventually die if no one helps them.
That’s what I have heard. Sometimes they break their antlers off.
Ouch!
Excellent haiku. The pictures describe what your words are saying. <3
Thanks so much, Viva. I have Fall Fever! 💗
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Beautiful haiku this week, Colleen! Full of excitement and imagery. The pictures are fantastic and go perfectly with your words. Well done! 😀
You are so kind, Vashti. 💗💗💗 Thanks always.