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| το μπλε παγώνι (Pavo cristatus)-Indian peafowl (Ταώς ο λοφιοφόρος) |
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| κατάφυτο με πεύκα το δάσος της Πλάκας, ένας από τους λίγους "πνεύμονες" οξυγόνου στο νησί |
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| οι πεζοπόροι της Κω εξερευνούν το δάσος της Πλάκας |
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| δοκιμάστε να ταΐσετε τα παγώνια λίγο ψωμάκι ή κάποιο κουλούρι και θα έρθουν να το πάρουν από το χέρι σας |
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| το θηλυκό με τα μικρά του |
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| η εντυπωσιακή ουρά του αρσενικού |
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| δεν ανεβαίνουν μόνο στα δέντρα τα παγώνια |
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| ασπρισμένη |
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| πρόσφατη εικαστική πολύχρωμη παρέμβαση |
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| που όμως έχει παρατηθεί τελείως στην τύχη της |
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| μαμά με τα μικρά της μπροστά στην πηγή της Πλάκας |
Read more at: https://www.kos4all.com/6308/%CE%B4%CE%AC%CF%83%CE%BF%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-%CF%80%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%82-%CE%BA%CF%89/
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| Γάτες και παγώνια |
The Plaka Forest and the Peacocks
*The Blue Peacock (Pavo cristatus) – Indian Peafowl (the Crested Peacock)
The Plaka Forest is a flat pine-covered area located on the borders of Antimacheia and Kefalos. It is crossed by the public/provincial road of Kos–Kefalos and, as its name suggests, it has a flat surface.
The Plaka Forest is lush with pines, one of the few “lungs” of oxygen on the island.
*Hikers of Kos explore the Plaka Forest.
On the provincial road Kos–Kefalos, right at the small church of Agios Nikolaos, there is an information sign pointing to the right turn that leads to the Plaka Forest.
Two kilometers further, and just before entering the forest, one encounters a lunar landscape, a section of cliff (“poros”), a very common sight on the Antimacheia plateau.
The most characteristic “attraction” and focal point of the Plaka Forest is the beautiful, friendly peacocks (in modern Greek you may also see it written as “pagoni,” but I choose to write it the way I learned in school). They appeared some 20–25 years ago in small numbers, but have now spread throughout the forest, as we are talking about a population of hundreds of peacocks.
Try feeding the peacocks some bread or a piece of koulouri, and they will come to take it from your hand.
A peacock lives up to 25 years, but under ideal conditions, with hygiene and care, it can live on farms up to 40 years. What is impressive is that the male has a different appearance from the female. The male measures 1.25 m without its tail, which doubles its length. Its chest, belly, and head are green or blue (on Kos we only have the blue variety). It has short wings, which allow it limited flight, and a crest on top of its head. By contrast, the female does not have this striking appearance, lacks the long tail, and its color is brownish-gray with dark stripes.
*The female with her chicks
*The impressive tail of the male
Of the three species of peacocks that exist, in Plaka we find the Blue Peacock (Pavo cristatus) – Indian Peafowl (the Crested Peacock).
The male has a very impressive tail with long guiding feathers with green, blue, black, and orange eye-like markings, which it fans out like a fan, mainly when it wants to impress the female.
Peacocks are widely known as the emblem of grandeur, royal power, spiritual superiority, and ideal creation.
In Greek mythology, peacocks were the sacred birds of Hera, and because Hera was known for her jealousy and negative interference against humans, the poor peacocks gained a reputation for bringing bad luck. Opinions differ as to whether peacock feathers in the house bring good luck or bad. What is certain is that male peacock feathers, especially those with the “eye,” are in great demand and rather expensive.
The first time I saw the peacocks in Plaka climb up the trees and come down flying (for some reason I thought they couldn’t fly). At night they roost once again up in the trees.
peacocks don’t just climb trees
It is worth noting that last year, for the first time, among the countless blue peacocks appeared an all-white peacock. We all thought it was an albino peacock. However, white peacocks are not albino. They have a genetic anomaly called leucism, caused by a lack of pigmentation in their plumage. It is a relative of the Indian Blue Peafowl. The white feathers in peacocks generally depend on which genes are dominant and which are not. What distinguishes an albino from a white peacock is the color of the skin under its feathers, according to the Times of India.
During the Italian occupation, along with the entire “paradisiacal” setting, the famous Plaka spring was developed. A wooden bridge connects the spring to the central area of the forest (where we park our cars). Unfortunately, it is in poor condition (especially the stairs leading down to the spring) and requires immediate restoration.
The spring bears a marble plaque that reads “Hunting Club of Kos 1980” and its appearance often changes, but it is always dirty and full of trash left by “careless” visitors.
*whitewashed*recent colorful artistic intervention but completely abandoned to its fate
*a mother with her chicks in front of Plaka spring
Next to the spring a small pond forms, which in the past was a tiny wetland hosting frogs and other forms of aquatic life, though it has been a long time since we last saw any frogs there.
The Forest of Plaka, Kos
Near Antimachia, on the road to Kefalos, travelers will find Plaka, a natural park with “permanent” residents – the peacocks. The forest of Plaka is a wonderful spot for rest, with beautiful exotic birds – especially friendly – turtles, and a few squirrels. The forest is easily accessible, full of pine trees, with a spring of clear, cool water and many paths for endless walks. Visitors will experience a uniquely relaxing and serene atmosphere, as the sound of nature enchants them. There are benches where visitors can rest or even eat, as it is an excellent spot for picnic and barbecue lovers. Children will love it!
Hidden within the forest of Plaka is also the chapel of Agios Ioannis Prodromos “Koiloni.” If you click the link, you will find more photos and information about the chapel.
In Plaka, lately, dozens of cats have also found shelter, seemingly coexisting harmoniously with the peacocks. Michaela, a British woman who has lived on the island for 18 years, along with her husband, takes daily care of the 46 cats of the area through the organization Kittys of Kefalos. After a brief chat with her, we were informed – and also confirmed – that the cats are in excellent condition, healthy and well-fed. The once-active grills that had been set up for visitors have now been converted into feeding stations for the countless cats, and from what I gathered, many people abandon cats in Plaka.
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