Debunking Wildlife Myths: Observations from the Field
Nature is not built on folklore. I spend my time in the field to replace old myths with the factual, documented behaviour of India's wildlife.
Do peacocks and peahens mate? Yes, they do. This image from 2019 is clear proof, helping to debunk the age-old myth that peahens become pregnant from a peacock's tears. Part of my work is to educate people with photographic evidence from the field.
This is a dream shot of a peafowl pair mating. Even people who have lived around peacocks their whole lives often believe the old myth. By sharing such pictures, I hope to spread correct knowledge about the natural world.
An unusual scene unfolded during this mating. A young male peacock approached the pair, seemingly curious about the process. It was a fascinating behavioural observation, showing that even animals can be inquisitive about such moments.
Another clear record of peafowl mating. The act itself is very brief, lasting only a few seconds, which is why it is so rarely witnessed. I have been fortunate to document it multiple times since 2016 to share with viewers.
Here, a pair of Blue Bulls, the largest antelope in Asia, are seen mating in Jhalana. Documenting the life cycle of all creatures, not just the most famous ones, is important for a complete understanding of our ecosystem.
After observing the behaviour of Indian Grey Hornbills in Delhi, I was able to predict and capture this rare mating of the Oriental Pied Hornbill at Rajaji National Park. Understanding courtship rituals is key to being at the right place at the right time.
The arrival of the Pied Crested Cuckoo, or Chatak, signals the coming of the monsoon. Here, a pair is seen mating soon after their arrival. They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds like the Jungle Babbler.
A pair of Black-rumped Flameback Woodpeckers mating on a tree branch in Delhi. These birds are vital to forest health, and observing their complete life cycle, including these private moments, helps in their conservation.
Even common birds like the Collared Dove have their own courtship and mating rituals. I captured this pair in the heart of Delhi. It is a reminder to pay attention to the nature that lives right beside us in our cities.
A pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets share an intimate moment, with another looking on. These birds have emotions similar to humans, and their social interactions are fascinating to document.
About The Mating Game: Debunking Myths
For years, I have heard the persistent belief that peahens become pregnant from a peacock's tears. It is simply not true. Since 2016, I have dedicated myself to waiting patiently in the field to capture the reality of their reproduction. These moments are brief, often lasting only seconds, but they provide the essential truth that nature does not rely on folklore, but on biological process.
My documentation goes beyond just peacocks. Whether I am observing a pair of Shikras in the urban sky or the Oriental Pied Hornbill in Rajaji National Park, the goal remains the same: to strip away the fiction and present the raw, biological reality. Nature is constantly writing stories of survival and procreation, and it is my job to be there, camera ready, to read them.
These observations are not just for my records. They are the backbone of my educational talks. When I speak to students or corporate groups, I use these images to explain that our heritage is deeply rooted in these real events. Understanding a creature's lifecycle is the first step toward true conservation. When you hire me for a talk or a feature article, you are not just getting a photographer. You are getting an observer who has spent decades learning to predict behaviour, ensuring I am in the right place at the right time to document the unseen.
Vinod Goel
I am a retired civil servant who traded files for a camera to document the stories written in our jungles. My goal is simple: to show you what actually happens in the wild, not what we were told as children. When you join me on a shoot or read my articles, you are getting the raw, unpolished truth of our natural world.
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