Don: Great info.. Thanks... I think it helps a LOT to know things like this if I am going to be tying my own flies.... Now we know why those guys who, before the Wright bros couldn't get those big flapping wing thingys off the ground... Feathers, and thus wings, and such a Complex design (One I do NOT think a Big Bang could have made)... Makes me appreciate the powers and creativity of God all the more.. That IS very interesting that an Identical feather would grow back , say on the mallard duck's neck.. Anyway.. Don't look like I'm gonna get to tie any flies LOL.. I made TWO home made vises and bobbins, and my 11 and 13 yr old have been in there tying ALL night long.. and put out some pretty good looking flies (Embarrassing to look at mine compared to theirs LOL).... But that is GREAT... Kids who have things like this to do, maybe will NOT get into drugs, gangs etc etc .... Thanks again for all the info, Chuck
----- Original Message ----- From: "DonO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:57 PM Subject: Re: [VFB] Feather ? Biots > Chuck, > You've just entered the wonderful world of feather genetics. I've answered > your questions briefly below: > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Chuck Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > Don: Thanks for the info.. Really made me study the feathers for the first > > time in my life.. The feathers are very interesting... I mean, all that > > difference, just for the ability to make flight right??? > > The ability for flight goes way beyond feathers. But yes, the wing feathers > are designed for flight (on flighted birds). But it's not the difference > only that counts. It's the partnership between adjoining feathers that > create the multitude of duties needed for flight. > > > One question about feathers I do have is this.. Feathers > > float because of an oily film secreted through the quill right??? > > Feathers are coated with oil from a preening gland at the base of the tail. > The feathers around this gland are called CDC feathers, and they float very > well. The bird uses his beak to transfer this oil to the feathers and work > it through them. This allows the bird to control how much oil his feathers > get, rather than an auto-oiling, like our skin. > > > > Once a > > feather is picked off, or falls off a bird... I take that it loses this > > quality??? I mean, it will still float for a while, but that oil source is > > gone with the birds skin or glands right????? Just wondering about that... > > Feathers are very difficult for most critters to digest. Moths and other > worm-like 'bugs' can make short work of them, though. As they weather in > the sun, they dry out and get brittle, I would guess from UV rays. I have a > feather display that has been in the light, but not direct sunlight, for 20 > years without damage. Put them in direct sunlight, and they bleach out and > turn brittle (w/some exceptions). Moisture helps them to rot, as bacteria > will come into play. Otherwise, they're pretty durable. As far as dry > flies go, the oil in the feathers does not make it through the washing, > (dying?) and cleaning processes. There is some skin oil that can get on the > feathers, but it is body fat, not preening oil. And not all birds float, > even though they are preened with oil. Waterfowl need this preening oil to > float. > > Something for you to contemplate. All feathers grow from the follicle, > fully formed. Feathers do not grow from the tips. Yet the markings on > adjacent feathers are different, yet they join together - even overlapping - > to form a congruous design. For example look at the markings on a mallard- > the wing and the neck ring. A molted feather will be replaced by an > identical feather. That's akin to adjoining trees growing just the right > branches that together with the other trees form a beautiful design. > > Also, many types of feathers grow from the same follicle over the life of > the bird. A chick has down, then a sub-adult has 'youngster' feathers, then > adult feathers come in. Then, on top of that, some birds change color every > season (like ptarmigans). Feathers cannot heal themselves, since they are > formed in the follicle. They must be molted. > > Enough food for thought now? > > DonO > > > Anyway, thanks for the help... I'd have never thought there was soooo > much, > > to four little feathers laying on the ground, and, as it turns out.. They > > are two left sides, and two right sides, so that will help me as well > > right???? > > ?? Mated pairs of dry fly wings?? > > Thanks, Chuck >
