Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
JAC: Matthew has gone off to the Lake District for a week’s “hols,” but he left me with a post so I wouldn’t go dry. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s a “Spot the nightjar” post. Srsly! I’ll give the answer either tomorrow or this evening. by Matthew Cobb OK, … Continue reading Spot the nightjars!
JAC: Many readers spotted the nightjar in yesterday’s post. Either it was too obvious, or you’re getting better. Here’s Matthew’s answer: by Matthew Cobb Jolyon Troscianko of the University of Exeter, whose great web-site was the source of the photo of the fiery-necked nightjar, also helpfully provides this highlighted version of the photo: Here’s … Continue reading Here’s the nightjar!
[JAC note: As Matthew emphasizes below, the second video is a bit gruesome, so read the notes before you watch it. As for Matthew’s Nightjar Fetish, we’re still trying to get him help.] by Matthew Cobb From the number of photos we’ve posted here, I think by now we’re all convinced that nightjar camouflage is … Continue reading Nightjars: camouflage doesn’t always help
[Note by JAC: Matthew’s addiction to photos of cryptic nightjars is becoming a serious problem for him, and I’ve advised him to get professional help for the anxiety he experiences when trying to spot the damn birds. However, his doctors have advised me that, until he’s cured, I should humor him by allowing him to … Continue reading Spot the nightjar – again!
by Matthew Cobb You see?—I told you it was easy. You can see its closed eye, a horizontal slit, on the right of the oval.
Fooled you! A reader sent me yet another “find the nightjar” photo, but I was unable to open it. And I’m never able to see the damn nightjars, so I’ll try another beast. Can you find the cat? UPDATE: I can’t pull ANYTHING over on my readers. In a comment below, reader Stephen P. actually found a … Continue reading Find the nightjar
Matthew has had problems trying to post the picture of the nighjar, so I’ll just append the photo he sent me and his cryptic note: Here you are. Problem is that it’s not hi res, so when you enlarge it it’s tough to see. I’ve put a pixellated version on left of image. Head is to the … Continue reading Here’s the nightjar
Well, I couldn’t find it in the original photo, but Matthew helpfully provided a photograph and a note: Here’s the nightjar reveal. I have put the oval tightly round the bird as it’s still difficult to see. It’s nesting on the ground and its head is pointing to the left.
