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
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