What is this close-up picture? (WotsThat: feather barb structure)

Question

What object is shown in this zoomed-in close-up photo?

Accepted Answer

feather barb structure. Feather barbs are held together by thousands of tiny hook-like structures called barbules that work like nature's velcro, and if you gently run a feather backward through your fingers to separate these hooks, the feather becomes fluffy and useless—but the bird can zip it back together by preening with its beak, essentially "resetting" the velcro. This ingenious design is so effective that engineers have actually studied it to create better hook-and-loop fasteners for modern applications.

Answer: feather barb structure

More science close-ups