Columns

Some weeks ago, I peeked out our kitchen window at the patch of ground where we daily spread birdseed and deer corn, just to see what might be out there. And lo and behold, what met my eyes came as a shock. You see, a mere five yards away strode a fullgrown male peacock, pecking away at the seeds, his long tailfeathers flowing behind him like a royal train. (By the way, I know that peacock infers a male of the species, but peafowl sounds dumb to me.) Without giving it proper thought, I tapped on the window, which as you might imagine startled the bird.

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