Camera Critters #218 - Peacocks - June 9, 2012

The peacock is the national bird of India.  I saw quite a number of monkeys, large

numbers of cows, and occasional camels and elephants.  I was always on the 

lookout for peacocks.  When my friend, Virginia Lynch, came to India, we went 

to Punjab University in Patiala where she had spent six months on a Fulbright 

Scholarship.  She told me, at about 5PM every evening, there was an area on 

campus where peacocks gathered.  I was anxious to see this.  For whatever 

reason, the day we were there, they decided to disappoint us.  Of course, we

couldn't remain until exactly 5PM and they may be birds who are quite rigid in 

their habits.  Only a few strolled by, rather drab peahens, bound for the same 

tree, in which nested  two males, their bright plumage folded.  So much for

India's national bird!!!

The Peacock

The national bird of India,
You strut with regal airs,
In terms of utter beauty,
No other one compares!

Your crown of brilliant blue,
Befits your splendid train,
Which you open to its fullest,
With a sense of great disdain.

Shimmering eyes peruse,
From the feathers of your tail,
With your train in full display,
You let out a piercing wail.

The courtship has begun,
You begin to sway and prance,
In hopes of enticing,
A peahen with your dance

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2007 by Carmen Henesy
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