You know, birds have an oil duct on their backs for when they preen themselves they can rub on it and it spreads this special kind of oil they produce which makes their feathers waterproof.
I noticed this on my budgie when she was preening once, she rubbed her head against her back and the duct was exposed and I watched her as she moved the oil around on her feathers. It took three times and and around half an hour or so to complete, but she was waterproof by the end ...
This is how birds make themselves waterproof... and why crude oil is so destructive to them.
While at DisneyWorld one year, the kids wanted some treat or other. They were in line to get their pic taken with Donald Duck. My husband told me son that if he could pluck a tail feather from Donald, they could have the treat. He is so BAD. Did my son do it? Yes. So, if you see Donald and he's missing a tail feather, well, there you go.
I noticed this on my budgie when she was preening once, she rubbed her head against her back and the duct was exposed and I watched her as she moved the oil around on her feathers. It took three times and and around half an hour or so to complete, but she was waterproof by the end ...
This is how birds make themselves waterproof... and why crude oil is so destructive to them.
Lovely capture, Rick! The droplets are fantastic!