So majestic to see the wild peacock dash through the jungle, in his natural habitat, a predator, snake-killer, in all nature’s glory, prancing around in the undergrowth, then pausing,
perfectly poised and vehemently vain, on a grassy verge, ready to be admired by my lens…
A jungle prince.
Happy to be admired, but with gaze ever ready to escape.
What a blessing that he crossed my path.
See his eye, a jewel, a coat so blue, his crown of feathered hearts.
See him turned away, full of grace; now watch the Lord of Dance.
This was such a special moment for me. I was on safari; just me, a jeep, and one driver;
I mentioned to the driver that I’d love to see a wild peacock, more-so even than a tiger,
(see, I’ve always had an obsession with the beauty of birds, and the beauty of their freedom)
literally minutes later a beautiful male crosses out path, and stops very close, by my door.
I was about a meter away. We shared a minute, watched each other, and then carried on our separate journeys.
Captured in the jungles of the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India.
Thank you for reading. James Dee x
Images and words copyright James Dee Clayton and Diary of an Aesthete respectively.
Read more about author, James Dee Clayton, here.
…See India’s Red Sun Rising here.
Dang…haha I was searching for that like button. Gorgeous pics and whoop Ghana getting closer! 🙂
Thank you! Yes – very close. Just booked my flights… 🙂
Whoop which means future picture jewels!! Much love from holland!
Thank you! I hope so. Love, peace. J x
What a defining moment…to come face to face with the peacock! Your encounter with it was beautifully told!
Thank you. Honestly, I was over the moon! Out of all the things I saw in the jungle I was most captivated by the peacock. That neat mixture of beauty and power, grace. I can only imagine what the explorers of old must have thought when they first laid eyes on so princely a bird…
His gaze is perfectly penetrating, his blue so striking… Amazing that nature can provide such beauties as these. Great photos as ever!
Thank you! It really is just incredible, isn’t it? Such vibrant colours. He was so casual yet purposeful as he moved. A prince, no less.
Lord of the dance. Lovely imagery!… A beautiful bird given rebirth through your beautiful words.
Thank you! I was very impressed by his regal display. So enchanting seeing creatures in the wild. Memories of another age… Jx
Cor, he’s a beauty! Had no idea they eat snakes!! Wouldn’t think that when theyre lazing around on lawns of English manor houses. Beautiful shots. Love the closeup 🙂
Neither did I! Apparently they eat almost nothing BUT snakes. I saw a couple hunting on another safari – zooming around under the trees. So quick, bold.