Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/01/30

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Subject: Duck Feet [was Re: [Leica] Snow in Woods Hole]
From: r.s.taylor at comcast.net (Richard Taylor)
Date: Wed Jan 30 06:52:57 2008
References: <9625549.1201661611258.JavaMail.root@elwamui-polski.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Thanks Doug.  Nice to hear from you.  Duck down or not they still look  
COLD!   It got me to wondering why their feet don't freeze.  One  
Googles to find answers these days, doesn't one?  Here's what came  
back from Ask A Scientist - Zoology Archive:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/zoo00/zoo00070.htm
"Question - I read the answer to the question about duck's feet and  
have been told that this is because ducks actually produce a form of  
ethylene glycol in their feet. Have I been taken or does someone know  
if this is true? I have eaten duck feet in Chinese restaurants and  
they are definitely sweet (as is ethylene glycol) Any idea?  Eileen
"Question in archives- Why don't birds' feet freeze in winter? I'm not  
sure about all birds, but ducks have what is known as a counter  
current heat exchange mechanism in their legs and feet. Warmth flows  
from more warmth to less warmth naturally. As blood flows down the  
legs from the body it meets with colder blood coming back up and the  
warmth flows into the colder part of the foot. K. Van Hoeck"
Amazing. You wouldn't think a body that small could generate enough  
heat to do the job.  I wonder where they find enough calories in the  
winter to keep the furnace stoked.
Regards,

Dick



On Jan 29, 2008, at 9:53 PM, wildlightphoto@earthlink.net wrote:

> Richard Taylor <r.s.taylor@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> It snowed a bit last Sunday morning in Woods Hole leaving the place  
>> to
>> the weather and the ducks.  These were all with the D300, ISO 200.
>>
>> Eel Pond - Nikkor 55-200 zoom at 100 mm f16@1/15 VR on.
>>
>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/rtaylor/PICKS/CAPE_COD/300_0299.jpg.html
>> http://tinyurl.com/2avfwh
>>
>> Cold Duck, swimming in ice, maybe wishing he'd headed South after
>> all.  Nikkor 55-200 zoom at 200 mm f5.6 @ 1/100 VR on.
>>
>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/rtaylor/PICKS/CAPE_COD/300_0305.jpg.html
>> http://tinyurl.com/2hqkax
>
> The first two are my favorites, really nice work!  Mallards are  
> among the most cold-tolerant of the dabbling ducks, this should be  
> no problem for him.  Duck down is pretty good stuff.
>
>
>
> Doug Herr
> Sacramento
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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Replies: Reply from kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour) (Duck Feet [was Re: [Leica] Snow in Woods Hole])
In reply to: Message from wildlightphoto at earthlink.net (wildlightphoto@earthlink.net) ([Leica] Snow in Woods Hole)