Peacocks & Palace ©Dawn Minott |Greece Travelogue (Part 2)

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

Exploring Greece brought me face-to-face with the mesmerizing beauty of peacocks, both vibrant and ethereal.

From a zoo in Cyprus to the ancient grounds of Knossos in Crete, these encounters left a lasting impression, blending natural wonder with historical splendor. And for the first time I saw these elegant creatures outside the confines of the “box” of a TV screen.

My first encounter was at the zoo in Cyprus (well, I guess that’s a different kind of “box”).

I waited what seemed like forever for the peacock to display its stunning, iridescent plumage.

When it finally did, the unfolding of its long, colorful tail feathers fanned out into an array of eye-catching patterns—a vibrant mix of blues, greens, and golds. The distinctive “eyes” on the feathers were mesmerizing, and I understood then why the peahen couldn’t resist its allure.

But not all peacocks are colorful. I saw a peacock with pure white feathers, like a bleached version of the typical vibrant aesthetic. Its ethereal beauty left me spellbound.

According to Treehugger, this is not albinism but rather a color mutation of the Indian blue peafowl caused by a genetic mutation called leucism.

As if a Greek god wanted to gift me with a peacock sighting outside the “box,” I encountered an elegant peacock roaming freely on the grounds of the monumental Palace of Minos in Knossos (Heraklion, Crete). It appeared just as I entered the palace, adding to the magic of the moment.

This peacock seemed to flirt with me, shaking his tail feathers a couple of times, but never fanning them out completely.

I could hear peafowl distinctive loud calls off in the distance, a signal he was not alone. The call seemed to beckon him. He walked away, leaving me wondering if there was soon to be an elaborate courtship display that I’d miss seeing.

These captivating moments with one of nature’s most elegant creatures, their stunning displays and the unexpected surprises along the way added to making my trip to Greece magical. 

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Photos by me!

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In creative solidarity, Dee

24 thoughts on “Peacocks & Palace ©Dawn Minott |Greece Travelogue (Part 2)”

  4. Wow!

    I have never seen an albino peacock before! And I have never encountered one roaming freely — as you did at the Palace of Minos in Knossos…

    We have more and more wild turkeys (who have much more muted plumage than peacocks, although some of their feathers DO sport a metallic glow…) in the Boston area.

    I always feel gently awed when I encounter one on the sidewalk or crossing the street.

    Thanks for this radiant trip to Greece via your blog post!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Wow indeedy. It was a glorious experience. I understand that fr the awe you feel those wild turkeys.

      I too thought it was albinism but then discovered that these are actually not albino but it’s a color mutation of the Indian blue peafowl caused by a genetic mutation called leucism that causes the white feather. [I’ll add this to the post, thanks to you.]

      Thanks for stopping by and engaging 🎉🙏🏽🎉

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      Reply

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