Leo Carrillo Ranch!

On Memorial Day just a few weeks ago, we had fun celebrating with our friends and their families at a BBQ at a neighborhood park several of our friends live near. After eating, playing and talking, we packed up and headed home, and on our way out caught a glimpse of their neighborhood peacock, tail feathers in full display! We just drove past it really, but it got me thinking about Leo Carrillo Ranch. I think it's amazing that peacocks are native and live in the "wild" of So Cal - they seem so exotic! Leo Carrillo Ranch is one of the places they flock to - I'm not quite sure the history, as far as whether they were bred there, or if they just chose the location, but the property is full of peacocks. About a year ago I met a friend there, and they were having an off year. On our entire walk, we saw maybe 2 peacocks, both female with nothing fancy to show. Bust.  Knowing that it is currently their mating season, I figured there had to be more there now - and boy was I right!!! The kiddos and I met up with Sarah and her little ones, and we embarked on our journey through the ranch. Here is a glimpse into what we saw!

.

There were so many with their feathers out, it was incredible. And since there are people that visit the ranch often, they didn't seem to be too scared of us, the kids got to get as close as a few feet away to see their beauty close up - I mean, the blue of their bodies alone, incredible - God had a fun time designing these ones!

.

Apparently this peacock fancied K, as she approached he displayed his tail feathers - they kind of "shake" them out, really neat to see :)

.

.

.

In addition to all the colorful peacocks all around, Leo Carrillo is home to several albino peacocks - this is the first time I'd ever seen one, let alone got to walk within a few feet! He very briefly displayed his feathers, and it was almost shimmery/glittery/pearly white....very cool, this pic doesn't do him justice!

.

Exploring some of the ranch quarters  - L, M & K and baby A :) What fun!

.

I've decided this would be an amazing place to take family pics, especially if the sun was out, and the peacocks were still in full display!

.

Last, but not least, I got a video of one of the peacocks "wooing" a female peacock - I had no idea! Fascinating :)

.