The bird was probably in torpor to save energy during the cold evening and morning period.
On Wed, Oct 4, 2023 at 11:28 AM [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 > > -- > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Colorado Birds" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en > * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include > bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate > * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Colorado Birds" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/5efe22cf-6d30-4294-8c92-0c25cf026766n%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/5efe22cf-6d30-4294-8c92-0c25cf026766n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- *T. Luke George, PhD* *Master Instructor, **Colorado State University* *Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology* *Wagar 110* *970-491-3311 (o)* Professor Emeritus, Humboldt State University 707-499-4053 (c) *[email protected] <[email protected]>* "what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGFJZuGLbcVizY6ahsDXACvKdprUPjEDMnU%2BKGfu9E0TBwDW%3DA%40mail.gmail.com.
