08/15/2026
Monday morning, Tra, MoonPie, and I met our dear friends and mentors, Bill and Candy Vinduska of Spring Creek Peafowl, in Stillwater. We climbed into their carrier van and headed south—giggling, telling stories, and discussing approximately one million and three peafowl issues, questions, and ideas along the way.
Naturally, we had to stop at a Czech bakery in West, Texas, for kolaches before continuing to our destination: Salado, Texas, and Bob’s Green Peafowl.
If you know me, you know I have a slight obsession with Green peafowl. If you have toured our ranch, you have probably heard how proud I am of our American Greens and high-percentage Spauldings—and you have almost certainly heard my very strong opinion about the word “Java” being used incorrectly.
To say I was excited to visit Bob’s Green Peafowl and meet Gerald and Marisol Barker would be a serious understatement. Bill and Candy introduced us to their longtime friends, and Gerald and Marisol could not have been more welcoming, encouraging, or fun. The birds, pens, and entire facility were even more impressive than I had imagined.
Gerald graciously showed us around and patiently answered the hundreds of questions Tra and I had—including what separates a truly high-quality Green peafowl from one that simply looks good to the untrained eye. Getting to see his birds in person and learn directly from the people behind Bob’s Green Peafowl—the real deal in import Green peafowl lines—was an experience I will never forget.
MoonPie also made quite an impression when we arrived—although I am not sure “impression” is the word Gerald would have chosen at first. He was pretty freaked out by the idea of a kangaroo being anywhere near him. 😂
That evening, we all headed to dinner—the guys in the carrier van and the girls in Marisol’s SUV. On the way, the guys had a tire blowout. Gerald went back for tools, and together they got the spare put on. Apparently, no memorable road trip is complete without at least one roadside repair.
Tuesday morning, as if the trip had not already exceeded every expectation, Gerald offered me a pair from his import lines.
We walked out to the pen, and he told me to choose the two I wanted. To me, that felt a little like telling Picasso what to paint. I knew enough to know that I wanted Gerald to make that decision. He graciously selected two of the most beautiful Green birds I have ever seen, and I still cannot believe they came home to Roost & Run Ranch.
Bill and Candy were even kind enough to loan us a cage to transport them—although I would have gladly held both birds in my lap for the entire nine-hour trip home if that was what it took.
Before we left, we also managed to convince Gerald to hold MoonPie for a picture. He was still clearly uncomfortable, but he was a very good sport and did it anyway. That may have been MoonPie’s greatest accomplishment of the entire trip.
Gerald suggested that we stop in Weatherford on our way home to visit Sid and Beverly Drenth of Texas Peafowl, so we pointed the van in their direction.
MoonPie stretched out comfortably between Candy and me for much of the drive, making sure we could both pet and love on him. At every stop, he also made it his personal mission to meet everyone we walked past. Traveling quietly and unnoticed is apparently not his style.
On the way to Weatherford, we stopped at a little malt-shop burger bar, where things briefly became less educational and more chaotic.
Candy opened a Dr Pepper that somehow began pouring clear water from a hidden hole in the side directly into her lap. We both sat there in shock, trying to understand where it was coming from—and why her Dr Pepper was apparently clear. Thankfully, Texas provided enough heat for her to dry quickly. Then... MoonPie slipped through a fence. I had to coax and maneuver him up the fence and back over to me. He was perfectly pleased with his little adventure; I was rewarded with approximately three hours of picking sticktights out of him afterward.
When we arrived at Texas Peafowl, Sid and Beverly welcomed us and showed us their operation. They raise thousands of peafowl each year, and I saw some of the flashiest hybrids I have ever laid eyes on. Their birds were beautiful, and getting to see how Sid and Beverly successfully manage peafowl on that scale was incredibly interesting.
One of the most meaningful parts of the entire trip was getting to watch Bill and Candy, Gerald and Marisol, and Sid and Beverly interact. These are some of the most respected and well-known peafowl breeders in the world. Getting to listen to people we consider legends talk about the late breeders they considered legends and mentors was pretty incredible.
What impressed and inspired me most was how freely they shared their knowledge—with one another and with us. Peafowl may be their business and what puts food on their tables, but there was no gatekeeping or competitive posturing. They discussed birds, bloodlines, experiences, challenges, and ideas openly. They genuinely love the birds, want to keep learning, and want to help others succeed. It shows in everything they do.
I wish I had taken more pictures, but honestly, I was so in awe that I simply forgot. This truly was the trip of a lifetime, and getting to experience it with Bill and Candy of Spring Creek Peafowl made it even more special.
Bill has already decided that our next road trip needs to top this one. Considering this trip included legendary breeders, two extraordinary import-line Greens, a tire blowout, a mystery clear-Dr-Pepper situation, and a kangaroo jailbreak, I am not entirely sure how we are supposed to accomplish that—but I am certainly willing to find out. 😂
We came home with two extraordinary import-line Greens, an incredible amount of new knowledge, several ridiculous road-trip stories, and an even deeper appreciation for the people who have helped shape the peafowl world.
Bill, Candy, Gerald, Marisol, Sid, and Beverly—thank you for your generosity, encouragement, friendship, and willingness to share your knowledge with us. Thank you for welcoming Tra, MoonPie, and me and giving us an experience we will be talking about for a very long time.
