The Watchful Peahen

Published on Monday, November 11, 2013 by Katherine

My thoracic epidural steroid injection was a little more than two hours away. I had twenty minutes to kill before I was expected to drink 16 ounces of Gatorade and partake in some physician prescribed happy pills.

Coincidentally, I was a few yards away from the entrance to an abandoned farm house and barn I had yet to explore. The one time I had tried to explore it before found me covered in hundreds of seed ticks, ending my adventure abruptly.

I had my camera and I had my bug spray. Time for a little urban explore.

Sneaking under some trees and through some brush, my decaying destination was in sight. It was then that I heard a rustle, a moment of quiet and the sound of rustling again. I slowly turned to find a beautiful peahen eyeing me with a curious gaze.

This beautiful white peahen followed me as I wandered the grounds, keeping just enough distance to make her feel safe. I found out later she is fed by those who work nearby, which explained the dog bowl I found in the brush. Said a long time Chesapeake local, “She has been on that farm for as long as I can remember.”

I like to think of her as the farmhouse protector, keeping all safe who walk her grounds.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the property, followed by a video of my entire slideshow.