11/28/2011: Cryptic Coloration, Common Pauraque

There is a Common Pauraque at Estero Llano Grande World Birding Center that roost right beside one of the main trails, and has done so for at least three years. It roost so close to the foot traffic that the park has added a long thin pile of thorny brush right there to keep people from walking on the bird. Of course the brush pile actually makes birders’ lives easier. You used the have to have someone who already knew show you the bird. Now you just look behind the brush pile until you see it. If you see it. It is generally there alright but many a birder (not to mention regular citizen) has looked right at this bird for any number of moments and come away without seeing the bird. It is the epitome of cryptic coloration. To say it blends with its habitat is an understatement. It disappears in its habitat.

I am pretty certain I have posted this bird in the past, from other visits to Texas, but it amazes me every year.

Canon SX40HS at 840mm equivalent. f5.8 @ 1/60th @ ISO 800. Programed auto with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.

Processed in Lightroom for Intensity and Sharpness.

And here is a view from the other side.

One Comment

  1. Reply
    Scott November 28, 2011

    What a tolerant bird. It does camouflage well. I’ve just begun using a Canon SX40HS. I’m only thru 40 shots. My first observation is that it takes a long time to write to the card before the next shot, much longer than the SX10. Do you find that as well? I’m using a class 10 card. I’d appreciate our feedback. Love the superzoom.

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