Blue and Golden Macaw feather. And a female mallard...

[billben74]

Hi guys. Been on the busy side recently.
Finally managed to get back on the 'scope.
I've finally managed to pick up some samples from a local wildlife park, something I posted about over six months ago.
I'm trying to get decent enough shots for them to maybe use in the educational centre. (I'm doing this for free so if I don't come up with anything its mearly dissapointing)
Anyway this is possibly the most interesting subject they gave me.
Its, as I mentioned, a feather from a Blue and Goldern Macaw.
The stats are: x4 Plan NA 0.1 with mixed lighting, some transillumination, some reflected light.
I've still got work to do on the sharpness.

[hkv]

Like gold. Stacked? Perhaps it is slightly off focus? Have you tried focus stacking it?

[billben74]

Thanks.
Apologies. Forgot detail.
Its a stack of eight.

[vasselle]

Bonjour.
Le mieux et de rendre parfocale appareil photo à la vision des oculaires du microscope , comme ça c'est plus pratique pour faire la mise au point.
Et on est sure avec cette méthode de ce qu'on l'on vois à oculaire est nette aussi sure le capteur de appareil photo.
Cordialement seb

[billben74]

Merci Seb,
I think my problem is the mounting of the feather. I think the barbs do not run parallel to the stage and this is causing the image to shift as I go down through the focus stack. It may also be more regular movement. I was wary of cutting up the beautiful feather, but will experiment with this and better mouning techniques on a less exciting feather to see if this is, indeed my problem.

[billben74]

This is from a (female) mallard's feather
x20 NA 0.4 Plan objective. Stack of 30.
Mixed lighting.
Interesting how the barb (larger forground spine) appears scaled, and indeed very similar in appearence to a hair.
You can also see the preen oil, the white/transparent material that covers the barbules (smaller veins/spines)

[JimT]

Neat thing about your second image, the scales on the barb. Like it.

[Radazz]

Really like that second image.

[billben74]

Many thanks JimT and Radazz.