Today’s Family Photo is of Amelia, and particularly Amelia’s right eye rather close up! She is examining the camera very carefully while having her picture taken. Like almost every other chicken, Amelia is very curious. I believe the curiosity comes from trying to determine if something new can be classified as “food” or “not food yet.”
One of the most fascinating things about any chicken’s eyes are the tiny feathers which surround them. (You may remember Emily’s eyes weren’t quite right in a recent drawing I made of her.) Even these tiniest of tiny feathers still carry the distinct markings of light and dark which identify them as belonging to Amelia.
You will notice this is her right eye, and that does make a difference, at least for chickens. It would not have been so easy to get a closeup photograph of Amelia’s left eye, and here’s why. A chicken’s eyes develop differently before they hatch. The right eye is nearsighted and best for seeing things close up, like my camera. The left eye is farsighted and best for seeing things far away, and so she naturally examined my camera with her right eye.
Chickens can also use each of their eyes independently, so while the right eye may be examining your face, their left eye may be looking far away for potential danger. (Maybe everyone should have a chicken to guard their backyard!) Their eyes also have a double cone structure which helps them to track objects, like crickets and other insects. These special features serve them very well except they lack night vision which we have. It’s why they head up to their coop for the night as soon as the light gets dim.
All of this brings me to the reason why I’ve selected a picture of Amelia’s eye for this week’s Family Photo Friday. Our story post tomorrow will be about seeing.
For today, I hope we will all see just as Amelia sees: honestly, fearlessly, and clearly.
Each post shares a glimpse into my journey as a writer and illustrator. Every “Like,” “Follow,” and “Comment” is truly appreciated!
Chicken facts I did not know, having lost my flock before I had a chance to study up, I Love it- peripheral vision in one eye, and close up inspection int the other. Brought to you but the producers of this amazing world… thanks, Judi
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You are so welcome, Judi. Our world is filled with so many amazing details which would take eternity to study!
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What a beautiful girl Amelia is. Love her amber eyes and colorful feathers. I just wanna boop her beak!
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She is so very special to me, and that is a fact. She is like none other. Friends have had this same breed of chicken, Plymouth Barred Rock, but none of them have had anything like Amelia’s personality…or the ability to steal a heart.
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Make that 2 hearts. She captured mine as well. Us poets need to stick together! 🙂
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Yes, you do! 🙂
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she is beautiful!
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Thank you, Wendi. I think so too. She brightens my day just by looking at her. Thanks again!
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🙂 i have a favorite chicken…….she makes me smile every day, so i do understand.
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Wonderful!
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🙂
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I did not know this. People that develop old age eyes needing readers, can get contacts with one for closeup and one for distance. Interesting. And those feather eyelashes are fascinating. Thx for sharing.
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You’re so very welcome, Ruth. Most people don’t every get to see a chicken this close up, and fortunately, Amelia is not at all camera shy. (Emily on the other hand, can be quite camera shy!)
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This was all new to me. The beauty and function of chicken eyes! 🙂
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There’s a lot of expression in that eye!
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John, thank you for sharing these interesting facts. I have learned a lot.
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You are very welcome. I love the infinite details found everywhere in all creation!
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