Awesome Feathers

What is it about feathers? I find them fascinating to look at being so delicate and soft but put them on the wing and they are a means of huge power giving lift and speed which is awesome. They can reach speeds of over 85km an hour. A fast wing beat which throbs in the air loud and clear gives advance warning of swans passing over but with the Mute Swan the noise is more of a humming. 

It must be an amazing thing to be able to fly!