Thank you for the suggestion. It was sunny and 60 degrees at the time, and there was actually more than usual bird activity all around him from Flickers, a resident Towhee, a Robin (first in a while), and others. But perhaps the Poorwill was exhausted from his journey and still recovering from nighttime torpor.
On Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 4:24:10 AM UTC-6 T. Luke George wrote: > 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 <(970)%20491-3311> (o)* > Professor Emeritus, Humboldt State University > 707-499-4053 <(707)%20499-4053> (c) > *[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/9845c7aa-41f1-477f-bff4-37e566955128n%40googlegroups.com.
