Jocelyn Curry

Is it possible to take peacocks for granted? They appear so often in the decorative arts that we stand to become blasé about their genuinely spectacular appearance. Last week my friend Marilyn and I went to a favorite nursery: Flower World in Snohomish, WA. Where one turns off the main road to get to the nursery is their produce and cider shop and a variety of livestock enclosures. Chickens abound (their eggs are sold there), lambs gambol about with their mothers, and the regal peacocks wander about with ducks and rabbits. It appeared to be high mating season, for the male birds were displaying fervently to the nonchalant, grazing hens. We watched for quite awhile even though the rain was coming down and the wind blew through our jackets. Peacocks don't lend themselves to 30-second sketches, but I did them anyway. Marilyn took fine photos of one of the urgent males; here they all are! One can't help but be reminded where the name peacock blue comes from. We were especially appreciative of the underrated, handsomely feathered rear side of the peacock which resembles a flamboyant Plains Indian headdress.