Lift
London, ON, March 2008 [Click to enlarge]
While watching the Airbus A380 make its maiden flight a couple of years back, I paid particular attention to the shape and layout of the wings. (Why? Because I'm a geek.) Although aircraft are fantastically expensive to design and build, it's safe to say that the wings consume a disproportionately huge slice of the R&D budget. They're miraculous pieces of technology (and wouldn't ya know, I've written about them here and here.)
But as I reviewed the photos from my impromptu riverside photo shoot last weekend, my jaw dropped when I saw this one full-size for the first time. The complexity of this bird's wings puts anything Boeing or Airbus ever designed to shame. Score another one for nature.
Your turn: Nature's engineering. Please discuss.
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14 comments:
Yes. Yes. Mother Nature's engineering.
No doubt! Not only that, they're quieter, safer, and more environmentally friendly. Birds rock!!
Nature's engineering leaves no doubt there is a God behind it all.
Good capture Carmi! Come check out my new project...I am hoping you might take part! :)
BTW, you HAVE to get some MOO cards! They are pretty darn cool! ;)
Yesterday driving over to the airport I watched a hawk flying above a ridge, the wind blew strong enough that he only had to flap every few sconds, but he never moved position. He know every draft and current and was able to hover there like a kite on a string. unbelievable.
Sadly, your picture made me wish he was flying in over a baych of decoys while me and my friends waited in a blind with our scatterguns. each to their own, I suppose. Great picture, as always.
I don't know, lissa... I've heard them honk in large groups, fly into planes, and fill a field with poop. But I still love the beauty and elegance of them.
And they are quite tasty too ;)
That's a fabulous photo. You always capture such great moments/discoveries.
You couldn't have captured a better shot. Beautifully done.
What a fantastic catch. Congratulations!
Michele sent me over, Carmi. Hi!
What always surprises me about wings is how lacking in aerodynamic shape they are. Or at least my conception of sleek backward facing teardrop shape. My common sense tells me that the wide part should be in the back, not the front, which is why I'm not an engineer, I guess. Man made or natural, wings are amazing devices.
Nature's engineering is beautiful. Compare that bird's wings to that of a Boeing 747 for example... Nature's wings win hands down. Nothing is as beautiful as nature.
I love this photo... God is definitely the ultimate engineer.
Fantastic shot, and well spoken!
Those feathers sticking up on top of the wing are the stall warning - letting the bird know it's approaching critical angle of attack. Perfect full-stall landing!
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