It is the beginning of elk rut season in the Rocky Mountains. During the September-October mating season, bull elk stage their own passion play of sorts. The characteristic rutting call of bulls can be heard from just before dusk to dawn.
Bulls have various levels of experience in herding. Some are “studs” and others are wannabes. The stud is the bull that is clearly in command. There may be other competitors nearby, but they can’t compete with the mature bull’s display of antlers and his bellowing bugle. This swashbuckler gathers and cloisters his cows with apparent ease.
Often, one or two other bulls stand on the sidelines, watching with obvious frustration. Even those who have managed to corner a cow or two are forced to watch helplessly as their prospects evade them and run toward a growing assembly of cows, yearlings and calves which have gathered near another bull. A bull with broken antlers or half a rack is not uncommon — the result of competitive battles between bulls.
The territory these alpha males vie for is not on Wall Street, Main Street, or any street at all. These non-partisan battles play out in the sacred forests and meadows of the Rocky Mountains.
This ritual reminds me of American politics. How, you might ask? On the nightly news we watch the opponents square off to see who has the biggest, strongest rack and the biggest herd. They bugle their policies and the reasons they should reign supreme. Like the bull elk, they gather their herd and do whatever they have to do to protect their territory. Swashbucklers, indeed!
Is there good news regarding this seemingly endless posturing? I venture to say, yes. As political ads endlessly stream by, we need to remember that these battles are merely seasonal. In a few months our urban landscape will again be quiet as we watch and wait for the result of this productive season.
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Really enjoyed this blog. I was, however, a little surprised by your mild ending.
It is a mild ending, Jo, now that you mention it. I guess I am cautiously optimistic, either that or a coward.