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Math Birds

Valley Quail’s Airfoil

I had the delightful experience of seeing a beautiful quail family in Santa Cruz while traveling for work. The daddy quail sat atop a bush while mommy and chicks foraged below. Finding the right curve for the top knot was a challenge – Mathstodon suggestions led me down a few paths and ended at a […

fractalkitty

• 1 min read
California quail digital art with a Joukowski transform illustration and air currents moving around the top knot of the quail

I had the delightful experience of seeing a beautiful quail family in Santa Cruz while traveling for work. The daddy quail sat atop a bush while mommy and chicks foraged below.

Finding the right curve for the top knot was a challenge – Mathstodon suggestions led me down a few paths and ended at a Joukowski transform for airfoils (thanks @rhinocratic@functional.cafe and everyone who helped).

I found myself using my favorite complex analysis resource by Juan Carlos Ponce Campuzano to play with this and visualize flow – I highly suggest you go play with these toys.

California quail digital art with a Joukowsky transform illustration and air currents moving around the top knot of the quail.

Sam – this is for you – for having the same love for these amazingly cute a gregarious birds.

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