Difference between structural color and pigmentation

Bare with me. I've been typing up this HUGE document at work that tells you everything you would ever want to know about feathers, and probably more. Part of this document discusses different types of feather color in birds. So here I am, getting ready to leave work, and I look across from me and see this BEAUTIFUL example of the difference between structural and pigmentation color right before my very eyes:

The feather on the left is a turkey vulture feather, which is colored by melanin (the very same melanin that colors darker skin or freckles). As a pigment, melanin functions to protect against UV light and in birds makes their feathers more durable. The melanin pigment itself is what creates the color (blackish brown, in this case) in the feather.

The feather on the right is a macaw feather, and the blue is a 'structural color'. There actually aren't any naturally occurring blue pigments in birds. The blue is caused by only the blue wavelength of light reflecting (refracting?) off of microscopic air pockets in the structure of the feather (air pockets in the keratin to be precise--feathers are made of the same material our fingernails and hair are made out of), which reach our eyes and make the feather appear blue to us. So you can see where parts of the feather AREN'T blue, but instead are a brownish color, because for whatever reason the blue wavelength of light isn't reflecting into the camera lens at that angle. So all you are seeing is the very thin layer of melanin under the air pockets, making the feather appear brown.

Tada!

To make this a real blog post, though, (*SIGH* I GUESS so), Andrew and I worked all day, debated some politics and then had Wendy's for dinner while watching the newest Glee episode. Also, over the past couple of days I have really noticed how skinny Roman is now. Skinny and affectionate. I'm sure she is plotting to kill us. She just must first figure out how to achieve a constant supply of sustenance without us, and then we're gone. Maybe the dog is the key to it all...hmmm...

I'm up late finishing drawings with Andrew keeping me company. I am SO not a night owl anymore.

Here is what I'm currently working on:

It's displaying the brood patch that a scarlet ibis has while raising chicks. I'm slooooowly getting there.

New York

We're back from New York! What a BLAST! I'm now working on more artwork for work while watching the third season of Doctor Who after having devoured the second season yesterday night and this morning.

But back to New York. I think I can speak for Andrew and say that we had a magnificent time. It was full of phenomenal new sites, extraordinary food (including tongue, chicken's feet and oysters), excellent plays and lots and lots and lots of walking. Since I'm 3 weeks post-surgery, it forced me to really exercise my knee, which was much needed.

Some of my favorite parts of the trip that I don't have pictures of:
+Lend Me A Tenor. It's one of the funniest plays I've ever seen and it was incredibly well done (which I guess is to be expected since it was on Broadway)
+The Marina Abramovic "The Artist is Present" exhibit at the Moma. An incredibly powerful experience.
+An artist at Union Square who was selling little slips of paper with a message written on them "especially for you", and whichever one you chose was "meant for you". Mine said:
"The power and the force is with you my love...whenever things in your life get too stressful or confusing, go home and into a quiet place or room with no cell phones, no TV, no iPod and no computer. When ready, close your eyes, listen to your breath, feel your heartbeat. Listen to your breath and feel your heartbeat. In that moment, you will find peace and clarity you need * I will support you...be well."
+The BLT restaurant. Holy crap. Not only was the food amazing, but they took ALL of my silverware away after each course. I liked the sea bass best, as well as the haricot verts. I tried raw oysters (definitely not awful but, um, more of an experience) and mussels (REALLY good) and the Red Snapper looked terrifying when it was brought out. Totally awesome.
+Literally running through the middle of a pillow fight in Union Square.
+The Greek halls of the Met, where Andrew and I spent most of Saturday.
+The Donut Factory. I had a vanilla bean donut filled with blackberry jelly. Oh. MAN. Amazing!
+Having a squirrel walk right up to me, paws outstretched, and then look HORRIBLY disgruntled when I had no food to give it. New York squirrels. Geeze.

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The rest of our photos are here: New York 2010 Photos

Fantastic weekend :) Now it's back to work!

Whew! Andrew and I are in New York right now having a BLAST. I'm exhausted, but before I go to bed I wanted to post my favorites of our engagement photo shoot with Anginet, our wedding photographer: