Ever since the peachicks entered our lives, over a week ago, everybird has become very attentive at sundown, including this young couple (the peahen is the second one to finally return although without chicks).
Prince is also quite interested in how Queenie gets the chicks to bed (notice how he has lost all of his long tail feathers – all the peacocks have now).
Gutsy9 is a bit jealous and is always right next to me. If I crouch down, she offers her neck to be stroked.
While Queenie is stirring the chicks up, preparing them for their bedtime transition to the avocado tree, I put the geese, duck and turkey into their yard for the night. I have been trying to flood their pen in order to create a kind of pond for them and it is working.
Queenie and the peachicks take ages to get ready for bed.
So I take a photo of the fig tree while I wait.
The younger peahen flies into the yard to encourage Queenie.
King (undoubtedly the father) also flies into the yard and takes a protective stance.
And then the magic begins. The bigger chick actually leads the way!
Queenie has to help the smaller chick.
But it comes back down again to say goodnight to me.
This is around the same time (7.30-8pm) that Anthony often suffers ‘Sundowner syndrome’ so, once I leave the birds and go into the house, I always ring the nursing home to say goodnight to him. As he almost never answers the phone himself I usually have to get the nurse-in-charge to enable a conversation. Lately Ants has been okay, delusional but not upset. He often thinks he is either at boarding school, a hospital, a party, or a pub.
I tell him about the birds, and say goodnight, with a sense of tentative peace, which is probably how Queenie feels at the top of that avocado tree (can you spot her?)
jmgoyder 
Great shots of the birds, Julie.
Hope it’s a bit cooler over your way at the moment. Like how you’ve made a pool in their pen – great idea for the ‘swimmers’ in our Aussie heat.
It took me ages but I finally saw her head poking out… Diane
This is such a fascinating thing that you get to watch…. loved the photos…
YES! I found her!
Aren’t birds wonderful? I never could see the fascination growing up on a farm with angry geese and stupid chooks, but having birds now I can see their wonderful intelligence and love.
So glad the others are keeping an eye out for the babes. Queenie is doing great 🙂
I reckon those peacocks/hens/chicks were sent to you for some diversional therapy. And, they seem to be doing their job very well.
Thanks for this glimpse into the lives of your Peafowl family, Julie. Birds are the best!
Great to hear a second peahen has returned even if sadly without chicks lets hope the other three reappear and that they have just been awol
I love these stories…
It’s so neat to follow the routine that leads to you and yours “buttoning up” for the evening,Julie. There’s something very calming about it. Thank you for sharing this evening ritual….
It’s so interesting that even peacocks and peahens have night-time rituals, not just us fussy humans lol. I love the pictures! 🙂 I’m glad that Anthony has been calmer these past days.
Avocado and Fig trees! I would love to live in a climate that accomodates those. Do they yield a lot of fruit?
Is that Queenie 3/4th over to the left mid screen? So sweet that she’s perched when you phone Ants. Love the pictures. Can I come live with you? lol I love your place.
Julie, My education all began with Gutsy9 for me, and the wonderment has yet to stop. Thank you for continuing the journet. And thanks for taking me along. Bill
I love the flow of your ritual. It must give a certain satisfaction and substance to the end of each day. It’s been so cold here, we let the stray cats come inside to eat, and the three younger ones wouldn’t leave, so they’ve claimed our basement. The two older cats will come in to eat, get warm, and then they want back outside. John filled 2 dog crates (my sister was trying to catch a raccoon and never got him) with straw, covered them with foam and blankets to block the wind, and put them on our side porch for them. They’re pretty protected there. They leave in the morning before we fill the birdfeeders. So far, so good. Enjoy your new peachicks!
I’m so glad you are sharing these pictures of your farm, Julie. Simply lovely, and they are warming me right up!
Pssst… Don’t tell Bob, but I will be replacing the guinea hens with peacocks when we move… 😉
Your secret is safe – hahaha!
Great gallery …. Julie, do you live out those birds??? Or are they only for pleasure. They are so beautiful …
Just for the pure pleasure!
Amazing pleasure. *smile
Ha!