Close up
If you remember a few posts ago I showed you the Cedar Waxwings feathers that were found on the grasslands. I decided to do a closer look at them under the microscope. Of course it was cool 🙂
These are the subjects for today.
The yellow is on the tips of tail.
30X
100X
400X
So this is the close up the red tips on the secondary wing feathers. It is a waxy secretion which is an astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment. It is unclear to ornithologists what the purpose of them is for sure, but course they have theories. One theory is that it has to do with the age and fitness. It is interesting to note that the older the bird gets, the more tips they have.
100X where it on the feather.
This is the tip at 400X.
This was the vein of the grasshopper wing at 100X.
Here it is at 400X.
So cool! Thanks for giving us closer looks at the waxwing feathers.
Wow!!
Those are great. Thanks