Common Pauraque

Image # 1D2_06554

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Canon 600L/f4 IS with 2x II Teleconverter

ISO 1000, f/8, 1/320 second

Manual Exposure

Gitzo 1329/Arca Swiss B1/Wimberley Sidekick

This is the first of 2 species in the Nightjar family, none of which have I seen on previous trips to Costa Rica, or elsewhere for that matter.  Our guide had been told about this bird, which nests on the ground, and where it was located, but the first time we went there, we only saw the 2 bare eggs in the primitive, very exposed nest.  I returned later in the day, when we had some free time, and found the adult on the nest.  The camouflage on these birds is really quite remarkable.  Even though I knew where it was, it was extremely hard to see it, or even convince myself it was in fact a bird, once I had spotted it.  In this shot, the unusually placed beak is open.