Tag: Peacock

The White Peacock

White Splendor

Yesterday’s post reminded me of a composite image I created a few years ago of this peacock that I photographed here in Sequim, outside the entrance to the Game Farm, where it loves to roam.

Although devoid of the colorful plumage of their brethren, white peacocks are not albinos as you may think; they’re leucistic Indian peafowl. (Leucism is a genetic mutation that prevents melanin from being deposited in feathers, resulting in a white or pale coloration. While albino peafowl exist, they are much rarer and have a complete lack of melanin, causing red or pink eyes).

And…there’s no digital manipulation in this image, other than I completely removed all the color and sandwiched one semi-transparent image over another. In so doing, I created the effect I was hoping for to emphasize the lacy appearance of the feathers.

I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do, and I hope you’ll visit the farm to see this beauty as well as the others.

Pretty as a Peacock

Bejeweled

While I photographed this peacock in Victoria, BC, we also have a number of them here in Sequim, but the challenge is to find them and have access to them.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria is the perfect spot since visitors can get close to and interact with them. And although I do not feed or recommend feeding them or any wildlife, photographing them is a joy.

This one reminded me so much of a beautiful blue embroidered peacock scarf I’ve owned for years (and never worn) that I decided to create the same effect here, by manipulating pixels.

And if you’re so inclined to photograph them as well, the Game Farm has them; not only the colorful ones, but a fabulous white peacock that loves to display his tail feathers at this time of year. And…he’s often seen outside the entrance!

Pretty as a Peacock

A Male Peafowl (Peacock) in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC

Victoria is fabulous city and Beacon Hill Park, located in the center of the city, is one of its crown jewels.

In this park you will find any number of peafowl. Yes…male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are referred to as peahens, but aside from that, these beautiful and people-friendly birds frequent the park, and as you might guess, visitors feed them, which undoubtedly brings them in.

The park is also a haven for herons, eagles, songbirds, waterfowl, human adults needing a break from city traffic and noise, and children seeking a petty zoo experience.

In addition to the above, you’ll find beautiful plants, flowers, trees, and fountains all in close proximity to downtown, Parliament and the BC Museum.

But the big draw for me is the birds. And I’m grateful that this particular one posed for me so beautifully. It’s a BC souvenir that brings me joy whenever I see and share it and I hope you enjoy it as well.