Pride and Beauty by Iceshark39
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Description
Yes, that is a real Indian Blue Peacock and, no, he's NOT in a zoo. He's on the railing of our condo in San Simeon.
He was perfectly content to stand there on the railing, or strut on our deck, letting me snap off a lot of pictures of him -- eating bread, the dog's food, and drinking out of her water dish.
He finally took off and landed in the field behind our complex and fanned out that beautiful tail of his when a (adorably affectionate) little ginger cat seemed the only thing that phased him...well, that and the crow that was on HIS turf.
In mythos the eyes of the Peacock are said to be those of Argus, the many-eyed watchman of the Goddess Hera. While watching over the mistress of Zeus, a woman named Io, whom Zeus had transformed into a white calf when nearly caught by Hera. The Goddess tied Io to a tree and set her most trusted watchman to see over Io that Zeus did not attempt to return her to her mortal form. Said to have a thousand eyes, and never closing more than half of them at a time, he was lulled to sleep and slain by Hermes. Distraught over her guardsman's death, Hera took the many shining eyes of Argus and placed them in the tail of her favored bird, the Peacock.
Historically, the Peacock has been both a symbol of nobility, arrogance, pride, decadence and villainy. Puritanical and other religious proclamations, say the eyes on it's feathers are the 'evil eye'. They have long been a symbol of wealth and nobility...and they certainly seem as though they know it.
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Photo (c) Twilight Productions 2009
Comments (22)
SWard80
A simply stunning capture! MUCH better than the shot I tried to take of him the day before up on the roof tops with my cell phone camera! I still can't believe we got to see him this close!
DarkStormCrow
Excellent capture, well done...
lorddarkwolf
awesome capture!
renecyberdoc
fantastic this is real nature.wonderful. ps the wood on the veranbda looks a little thirsty to mee,maybe a bit of paint ??rofl-no disrespect.wonderful area.love also the little windmill on the right. we had one in luxembourg made by a friend long time ago.
shadownet
I always liked peacocks even though they can be a bit snippy at times. Like geese they are sometimes used on estate for security.
cheekyelf
Brilliant photo.wish you could of got it in full bloom.love the story of hera.100/100%
Mousson
Belle photo!!
mininessie
lovely!
Faemike55
Outstanding photo, Stacey! A very beautiful bird
Eldeago
Indeed!
magnus073
What a cool shot Stacey, I have never seen on other than in a zoo before
Rainastorm
Amazingly beautiful these creatures are....wonderful visitor you have there!
2121
great !!!!
loligagger
Excellent shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mikeerson
Come on... lol.... we all know what those eyes are for - they are for SEX! You know it, I know it, all the people here commenting know it... did you post it? You're just lucky that bird didn't flash the eyes at you - LOL... you might be writing something different - LOL ....all kidding aside, gorgeous picture and bird... something like that visiting your home just gives you a big smile... unless he left a present... did he leave a present??? LOL
magicmoondesigns
What a wonderful shot -- he certainly seems pleased to be the focus of attention in this image!
lunchlady
WOW!!!! How cool is that!?!?!?!
lyron
Cool shot!!!
angelafair
oh wow...nice~
ragouc
Cool shot.
beatoangelico
FANTASTIC CAPTURE...WELL DONE..!!!
kitzie21
It's startling to see such a beautiful, exotic bird in such a day to day setting. Beautiful photo.