Nightjars are known for roosting in plain sight during the day,
relying on their amazing camouflage.
I've looked right at a Potoo without seeing him until he was pointed
out to me. But today's Poorwill was a stunner.
At 10 this morning I was slowly advancing on a pair of canoe cushions
along the side of my tennis court, which is edged with river rock, to see if
I could spot any hard-to-see spurge weeds amid the rocks.
I wasn't making any noise, except for moving the back cushion ahead
and sliding onto it. I noticed an odd-shaped bundle between the
chain-link fence and the rocks, but paid no attention to it. Even when I was
seated right alongside of it-- less than 12" away--I noticed nothing,
but spent some time picking up some debris on my other side. Maybe I
shouldn't have been wearing my distance glasses! Anyway, my curiosity
finally kicked in and I put my hand on it to pick it up. It flushed exactly like
a Grouse (like an airplane taking off), startling the heck out of me.
Was it asleep until I touched it? Possibly, but I think it more likely it was
awake by then and just was relying on its camouflage.
David Gulbenkian
Crown Hill Open Space neighborhood, Jeffco