Pigeons at the Quay

People interfering with nature have left their mark everywhere. It’s not just in the landscape or in the extinction of species. It’s not just in their geographic distribution or the introduction of species to other continents. It’s in their genes.

There are pigeons at the Town Quay and they bear the genetic scars of generations of inbreeding. Their beautiful iridescence is shining in this glorious weather.

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Because genes are the equivalent of solids rather than liquids, they don’t mix well. When you have a genetic characteristic it stays in the population and doesn’t get diluted. Here’s a brown pigeon rather than the customary grey:

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Aren’t those eyes fabulous? You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it to take a closer look.

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

They’re quite a contrast.

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

And so is this one:

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

All these colours are produced from variations in just three genes.

I really wish pigeon breeders had left them alone. It’s all genetics and aesthetics.

Feral Pigeon - Town Quay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

But they are still very beautiful anyway.

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