V33JG said:............... If you ever go to the arboretum, watch out for the peacocks! The place is filled with them, along with the homes nearby. When I drive to my sister in law's, who lives minutes away, I have to make frequent stops because they run the town! Its amazing to see though. The males are so beautiful with their huge feathers and the mamas walk around with their little herd of babies. hehe (:
That certainly brings back memories for me. The CSSA used to hold what they then billed as annual National Shows at the Los Angeles Arboretum (Baldwin Park) in the 1960s (maybe beyond that). In those days, California Cactus and Succulent Clubs used to put on extensive (mostly) native plant displays that were judged as part of the show. I don't think there was a provision in the budget to provide security for the show plants in the Arboretum at night back then so, by mutual agreement, Club Presidents were designated "Night Guards" (stationed on the outdoor patio area). I was President of the Mojave Desert Cactus & Succulent Club (Victorville/Apple Valley/Lucerne Valley/Barstow) in 1964 and my name was first out of the hat that year! It wasn't bad duty really -- the July nights were pleasantly warm and clear and the organizers set up tables, chairs, chaise lounges and provided copious supplies of lemonade, sandwiches, cookies and other snacks. My family (my wife, two daughters and me) actually enjoyed the night except for the Pea fowl! After all the show people departed, our "guard station" soon resembled a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's "The birds"! They gathered in great numbers, perched in trees, running around on the ground begging food and constantly uttering their strident call that sounded to us like "HALP". To our mind it was the Peahens that were the loudest although I must say that some Peacocks did regale us with occasional magnificent displays. I think nature designed Peacocks to offer the most magnificent body display of all creatures but compensated for that by endowing both sexes with the loudest and most strident squawks!
James
