Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

Read through this three-line poem. Found the bit of info neat. The first two lines did well to give the visual of animals in action, the last line incorporated your theme word and uses the canned name Bambi to give a lot of visuals along with a less know word. The effect makes for added curiosity on what the word otacust means, making for more satisfaction on learning what otacust means.

Nice job with this poem.
(I read it on a trip, am just able to press save today)

 Comment Written 24-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 24-Sep-2018

Hope the trip is a fun one, Turtle.Thanks for the lovely comments. Craig

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Wow, Graig what an amazing picture and finding as well. Nature is just something else how the species interact and treat each other. Your word gave you a lovely inspiration to write your short poem. I seem to be late all the time these days. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 23-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Sep-2018

Thanks very much, Ulla. I appreciate the lovely comments. Craig

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

This is a fascinating story. I always knew animals can understand one another - but this is proof positive.

Strange little word, otacust. As always, my online dictionary says it doesn't exist, but I like it.

Thank you for sharing,

~Mustang Patty~

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018

Thanks so much, Patty. I appreciate the kind comments.

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

What a picture! :) What a word! :) "otacust" ... I never would have guessed the meaning of this word in a million years, Craig. Thanks for teaching another new word.

Your 3 line poem should fare well in the contest. You've presented a word that I'm guessing very few of us have ever seen before. I love the humor in your poem, and the picture is priceless. Good luck in the contest with this great entry, Craig.

Cheers,
Connie

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018

Thanks very much, Connie. I've seen some of the competition, let's just say I'm not holding my breath lol... but I appreciate the lovely comments.

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Isn't nature amazing? Animals learn to decipher signals to get food. There are lots of symbiotic relationships in nature. The image is so cute. Thanks for sharing. Marilyn

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018

Thanks very much, Marilyn. Nature most certainly is amazing :)

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written three-line poem. A great photo to complement your poem, it seems that the monkey has indeed a very important message he wants to whisper in the deer's ear.

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018

Thanks very much, Sandra. Have a great weekend!

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi Craig. What an adorable photo. The monkeys must eat parasites in order to benefit deer. Nature has everything figured out. I wish we would leave her the hell alone. Good luck in the contest. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 21-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018

Thanks for the good luck wishes and the lovely comments, Pam. Have a great weekend!

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

However did you know that about the sika deer. That was convenient knowledge on which to work with otacust. You constantly amaze. You did the symbiosis article, and you have all those pets. Do you have a background in zoology or just an interest?
That photo is memorable. Looks like the money and deer have a symbiotic relationship. Oh, I got that wrong. Everything is in favor of the deer. He gets food clues and his ears cleaned.

 Comment Written 20-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Haha, thanks for that Debbie. I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to find "Symbiosis", as I couldn't for the life of me recall what sort of work it was, or what I'd written. Mind like a sieve!

I just like animals, to be honest, a lot more than I like many people.

You are correct. The deer-macaque symbiosis would be an example of commensalism, unless there is some benefit to the monkey I don't know about. Of course, the one in the photo is getting a free ride somewhere :)

reply by Debbie Pope on 21-Sep-2018

I'm glad that I jogged your memory about that award-winning poem.

Comment from ciliverde

Excellent

You continue the tradition of using unusual words, even in your contest entries! I liked this very brief poem because (as usual when I read your work) I learned something - not just the new word, but the fact that these deer eavesdrop - very interesting. I'm sure they are not the only species to do this sort of thing.

Carol

 Comment Written 20-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Often I do, Carol. That's laziness, because I haven't got the time, inclination or money to do two separate poems lol

Usually, I just look at the topic, then if there is a contest going that interests me, and I think I can generate something which matches both my project and the contest, why not? Two stoned birds, or something :)

Cheers, Craig

reply by ciliverde on 20-Sep-2018

You know what I discovered recently? If you read from the "Up Next" list, you end up getting a lot of those pumps to promote your work. That has helped me immensely, as far as having $$ to post!
Two stoned birds, lol. A bird in the hand gathers no moss, right?

reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

I have no shortage of pumps, since I rarely promote anything to the front pages. But even at 27 cents reward, it costs 6.55 to post; and pumps don't cover that. I do generally see stuff from those I'm following while it's still promoted though, as my list isn't all that long.

A rolling stone is worth two in the bush :)

reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Actually, I just thought about that rather horrible little proverb... why would anyone want to kill one bird, let alone two? Henceforth, that expression is banished from my lips lol

reply by ciliverde on 20-Sep-2018

You're right, you have to read a certain amount of stuff to get the $$ to post, even without pumps. I guess it's bad form to post for the 2 cents. Does a rolling stone s___ in the woods? Ha ha!

reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Oh Carol, you are metting your mixaphores...

It's "is a bear Catholic?", and "Does the Pope s___ in the woods?" :)

reply by ciliverde on 20-Sep-2018

Of course bears are Catholic!! I think our current Pope would, if he had to :)))

reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

So fascinating to learn about interspecies communication. I bet it's easier between animals than between humans in general. Otacust seems similar enough to otoscope so can see the link to 'ear.'

 Comment Written 20-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 20-Sep-2018

Thanks, Helen. Yes, we assume because WE don't understand, that other species have limited communication abilities. We really are a daft lot. Much appreciated :)