Sunday, February 5, 2012

Dewy Feathers






Dewy Feathers Digital Photography 

Last week one morning when I went to get the paper, I found these beautiful dewy feathers strewn around  our driveway and lawn. It looked like there was some kind of struggle wherein a few feathers were lost ! I didn't see any other signs or bird parts and am hoping the creature escaped worse fate from whatever that was after it! When something like this happens, I always wonder whether I notice things around me since I took up photography or did I start toting a camera because I see things around me that I want to capture :) 

These beautiful feathers reminded me about something I read a while ago:  'feather money - tevau' from Solomon Islands. We are familiar how Native Americans, Indonesian Islanders, and many many others hold feathers in high regard and use them in rituals. But in Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands,  feather is currency!  As many as 50,000 feathers from smallest scarlet honeyeaterer birds are fashioned into coils and used 'as a form of currency for settling important obligations' .  Check the link to see a photo of the coil in the British Museum website.   In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird's tail feathers were used as currency and hence the Guatemalan currency is known as 'quetzal' ! Its amazing how many little beautiful birds have been sacrificed not for food but for their treasured feathers by various 'collectors' all over the world.  

14 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Great post, Meera. How interesting is that? Like wampum, beads, etc. Didn't know that sort of exchange still existed. Very enlightening. Thanks. Have a great day.

Heera said...

I love these photographs. Beautiful composition.

Meera Rao said...

Thanks Carol :) Its very interesting to know all the things that have been used as money through out history!

Meera Rao said...

@Heera, Thank you very much :) I was really taken with how the dew drops were resting on the feather and the reflections, the transparency on the droplets!

kala said...

Flawless clicks loved the shots

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Kala ! I am tickled by your comment :)

Anonymous said...

beautifully captured...

thanks

Meera Rao said...

Krishna, thanks! Those feathers were indeed so very beautiful.

Thaikaden said...

Very informative

Meera Rao said...

@Thaikaden, glad you found it informative :)

padmaja said...

You are so sensitive to your environment Meera.. a true artist! I can see you pick up your color pencils now! Lovely shots!

Meera Rao said...

Padmaja, Thanks! I would love to paint in in some form - so now I am obsessed with observing and studying water drops :)

Meera Rao said...

Fernando Santos, Obrigado, eu realmente aprecio os seus comentários :)

Arena Shawn said...

These are such beautifully captured jewels -- I want to ask for permissions to paint from them, if it is ok with you. Of course, these are your photos and if you want to paint from them and does not wish anyone else to do that, I would totally understand! Thanks.

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