But this is not about the zoo. It's about patterns in nature...in particular, the patterns one can find on a free roaming traveling man I just happened to run into at the Zoo. I first encountered him at the front entrance just as I was entering the zoo on Sunday. I was drawn to the iridescent blue-green plumage that was shimmering and changing as I viewed him from different angles and his long train tail feathers that had a series of eyes. I knew it was an Indian Blue Peacock. As I was looking at him, I asked if I might take a picture. He seemed amendable and so I clicked away.
Later, walking the trail to the Serengeti, I spotted another coming down the trail. Once again, I asked permission for did I not know in some cultures he is revered. I did not want to presume he had just anyone take his image.
The pattern on his eyes were just gorgeous and so I stepped behind him and took another shot.
And then he bid me good day and strutted off. As I watched him, I couldn't help but think of the flute of Krishna and feel some measure of inner harmony. For in Hindu symbology, Krishna is pictured with a crown of peacock's feathers, as he plays the flute. Krishna is the ideal of divine love, the God of love. The flute is the human heart...and the holes in the reed flute are the the pains and sorrows the soul experiences through life. As Krishna plays this instrument of that which he has created, divine love fills the heart of man. Though I am not a Hindu, I find these thoughts pleasing as I leave my feathered friend.
On Monday, I was at the Zoo with my AM class and going between the various groups of young people and their chaperones, I discovered while I was by myself, Mr. Peacock once again. He was hanging out by the Old Bird House, not far from the Australian Outback.
After taking two pictures, he strutted off towards some pine trees. I was curious to see where he was going so I followed him.
It was like a game of hide and seek. Crawling under a limb, he thought he had me stumped. He just doesn't know me! Of course I crawled under the limb too...I'm just too curious not to follow.
Coming out of the undergrowth and back on the path once more, Mr. Peacock turns to me and ask, "Pray tell me, what do you want from me?"
I look at him curiously and then I say, "If I was wise I would ask you for eternal truths, but for right now I'm mainly concerned with getting a picture of a peacock fanning his tail. You know I've never seen one except in picture books. I know it's a mating ritual...but could you just do it even though there's no feathered female around?" With that, he decided to oblige the request...it wasn't a full fan...half hearted at best, but hey, I'm no feathered female!
And then he sat down and rested.
As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about the patterns on his body and how they mirror life. For is not life a pattern?
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Comments: 49
I so enjoyed your beautiful friend
We went to the FPZ when my daughter was in Kindergarten. Unfortunately, that day was veyr very hot with a million school kids and my daughter threw up. But we have to go back there someday. My hubby, being from the Dot, does not have the most favorable view of the Zoo. Also, when you've been to San Diego Zoo a lot, you realize what Boston really should do with some money.
Your article is Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Love that Peacock.
In the bird world, the male always is the most beautiful...he uses his fine plumage and train to attract a female in mating rituals and courtship displays. It can be arched into a magnificent fan that reaches across the bird's back and touches the ground. My Mr. Peacock did not expand all his efforts in this regard. According to scientists, females are believed to choose their mates according to the size, color, and quality of these beautiful feather trains. How shallow the female penhen must be only to see the outside covering!!! Does she not know that what is important resides within the heart and soul?
At Franklin Park, they were just like me...free roaming!
San Diego Zoo rawks. We lived about a half hour from it during the 70's for two years....once you have been there, everything else pales to it. But I have to say, Franklin Park has come along way since I was last there.
Growing up I went to Franklin Park many times...it was right down the street from my Nana's.
Now what did you do to your leg?
That bird is so cool!
Now that's what I'm talking about! I think peacocks must be the kings of patterns in nature.
I love finding patterns and photographing them.
Thank you so much for your enlightening essay.
(Hope you are feeling better.)
Thanks so much for posting this to
my group
thanks for sharing!
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I'm no mate for a bird!
Then I guess I was quite lucky with this guy...he was quite cordial but I was reading in a National Geographic that they can be "testy"!
Excellent photo-essay, as always!
You area darling to share with us
thank you and hugs
Wings of a Monarch
A Channeled whelk
Stripes on a Zebra
A Peacock Tail
One can find patterns
Where ever one goes
Wouldn't it be fun to have a train like a peacock?
If I don't have anything else, this girl has tenacity. I don't let go.
The shots are gorgeous, and the colors are bold and rich.
Yes, indeed, a sight such as this takes us beyond ourselves, and demands we think of magikal things...
Wilka