The Birds

I got to go on the big family outing to Tracy Aviary. Since My older sister has been in town we have experienced more of Utah than ever before, and its amazing once you start looking what amazing and fun things Utah has to offer. I dont think that I have ever been to the aviary and was excited to go and take pictures of the birds. I know its seems a little like cheating to take pictures of these exotic birds in the confines of an aviary rather than rouging it out in the bush but I dont care, a beautiful photograph is a beautiful photograph no matter how or where you shoot it.

First off the ducklings were still balls of fluffy down and were invigorating to watch, so playful, Im like a child when it comes to seeing animals. Seriously. I get so excited.

I have never seen a Cardinal in real life since they are not native to Utah. Ive always seen the calender/postcard version of them when they are usually in the snow perched on a branch with red berries or something. But here is my own postcard version. Photographing birds is a lot like photographing children with their fast movements and the only way to get a good pose is too shoot tons of pictures. But at least birds cant do ugly faces at you are start to cry, thank goodness.

This Bald Eagle had a badly injured wing that stuck out like a sore thumb. I thought that I would try to capture the "Regal Eagle" that he was.

Pretty in Pink.

Ugliest Bird Award. Those eyelashes are really feathers. Wow.

Then there were the Peacocks. Amazing. They were tamer than tame and let me get close for a fashion shoot. They did like to squawk right after the shoot which was shocking to me while I was walking away, I don't think I have ever heard a peacock. I have fed one once in Hawaii, Ouch!, they peck hard and fast. But these birds definitely live up to their reputation, they were extremely proud of their beauty.

I was reminded of a story in a book that I have been rereading. When I was young my mom had us read and memorize all the greek myths in preparation for our family trip to greece. I have recently been reading that old children's Greek Mythology book. (its a family favorite because of all the amazing and silly illustrations) I am reminded of the story of how the peacock got the eyes on its tail.....

Zeus as we all know was amazingly unfaithful (total playa), and one in his plethora of mortal mistesses was IO. In order to not get caught red handed by his wife Hera, Zeus turned IO into a white cow. Hera was not to made a fool and knew of Zeus' shenanigans, so she asked if she could have the white cow as she thought it so pretty. Zeus in order to not get caught had to give Hera the cow who was really IO. Hera then placed the best watchman there was to make sure the cow didnt escape, the watchman named Argus had a hundred eyes all over his body, where 50 were always open at a time, while one pair of 50 slept the other remained awake. After awhile Zeus began to feel bad for IO and sent Hermes the craftiest god down to free IO. Hermes disguised himself as a shepherd and offered to tell Aurgus a story. Arugus had nothing better to do so he agreed to be his audience, but the story was so long and dull that both sets of 50 eyes closed in sleep. Hermes then touched all the eyes with his wand and permanently sealed them shut. Hermes then boasted that he had bored Argus to death. (Much like how many of us felt in some classes in high school). IO was then set free, but not turned immediately back into a human, she wandered around as a cow till she entered the land of Egypt where they made her one of their Gods (thought to be the egyptian God with a cow head named Hathor), many years later her human form was restored. But poor Argus, Hera felt bad for her poor watchman so as a memorial she took off all his sealed eyes and attached them onto the feathers of her favorite bird the peacock.

 Io is also known as one of the planet Jupiter's moons. Which is appropriate since Jupiter is the roman name for Zeus (along with the name Jove). Hera's Roman name is Juno, for all those Juno fans out there. And there is your daily dosage of random trivia.

Argus. Check out those eyes.