Peacock - from the other side

[Kerry Perkins]

I have to confess that I have an unnatural fascination with the back sides of peacocks. The front side has been well-represented over the years, but the back side has been left behind... I'm always looking for a different perspective and I saw this opportunity on a recent workshop at the LA County Arboretum. My eye was drawn to the red flowers, green leaves, and blue sky on the other side of the display. It is a common misconception that the peacock's train is its tail, but in fact it is a set of specialized coverts. The tail is this little bit of duster that you can see part of here. Topaz Detail and Adjust, NIK Tonal Contrast and Blur Vignette. Oh yeah, composed in-camera. Trying to do more of that.

[Nancy Bell]

Kerry, I agree with you that all the lines radiating from the back end of the peacock are interesting and photogenic for us OOTB-type folks! I really like the bright red showing through as it is unexpected. If the quills are sharp throughout the entire image I might leave off the blur vignette for another approach.
I had no idea that the peacock's train was NOT its tail! That is fascinating.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Kerry, an interesting perspective for sure and I like it. I especially like the flowers in the background.

[denise ippolito]

Kerry, Thank you for the additional peacocok info. I like the backside of flowers and feel they have as much interest as the front view-I guess I feel the same about creatures because I love this. Nice job with the flowers showing through.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Kerry, this is a great image and perspective even if it is the view from the rear-end I never knew that about the train. Thanks for letting us know.

[Kerry Perkins]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the comments. Nancy, the left part of the train was not in focus because it was curving away from the camera. The males surround their potential mates with the train and then shake it to make a sound. The females usually just turn around and walk away, but sometimes they regret having turned around...

[Hilary Hann]

I like the graphic design of this image and the red flowers showing through is a very nice touch. I didn't know all that stuff about the peacocks either, interesting.