Photographer Captures Incredible Camouflage: Masterful Blending with the Tree – Amazing Nature

Even against a backdrop of winter white, some animals are tough to spot in the wild.

The critters that inhabit our fields, forests, and wetlands employ various methods to avoid being eaten by predators.

Some rely on fleetness of foot or wing and escape predators by running or flying for cover. Others depend on camouflage. They use their remarkable cryptic coloration to blend with their environment to evade the next marauder looking for fast food.

The snowshoe hare, for instance, is brown during summer and blends well with its shadowy surroundings. But when Old Man Winter paints his slate white, snowshoe hares shed their summer coats and grow dense white hair. Their winter fur affords them near perfect concealment against frozen surroundings. Snowshoe hares also sprout a profusion of hair on their outsized hind feet, an adaptation that allows them to dash about atop the surface of the snow.

Another animal with dark fur in summer that transforms to white in winter is the weasel. The tips of their tails remain black during all seasons. Weasels use their camouflage not just to conceal themselves from larger predators but to hide from prey. The lanky and swift-moving little carnivores often dart in a flash from hideout to hideout. At times I wonder if I really saw anything at all. The weasel will often pop from the snow several yards from the last sighting as if to verify its existence to me.

Females of most bird species are dull in color to aid them in hiding from predators during nesting and while raising their young. Male birds are usually dressed in gaudy plumage, an adaptation that helps them attract the opposite sex.

But not all male birds are brightly plumed.

The king of the uplands, the ruffed grouse, is a game bird popular with hunters. Both male and female ruffed grouse wear drab-colored feathers. They blend extremely well with their forest habitat and are seldom seen until they move, perfectly hidden by plumes dappled with hues of brown, rust, tan and black.

Last week, just after sunset, I watched three ruffed grouse flutter about on the branches of a crab apple tree as they busily filled their crops with frozen fruit before roosting for the night. One grouse was skylined and easy to spot. The other two plump birds were gathering their supper from lower branches against a backdrop of various foliage. When those grouse paused they virtually evaporated.

Another upland bird that sports remarkable camouflage is the woodcock. Known best for its dramatic springtime aerial courtship display, woodcock are otherwise seldom seen. I have, on several occasions, spotted the fist-sized birds before flight as they crouched on the forest floor, their locations revealed by a steady pointing dog. When I looked away for a brief moment, the birds seemed to vanish.

We all know that most species of owls hunt for prey at night. But where do they go during the day? Some species hide in hollow trees, but others, such as the great gray owl, spend the daytime snuggled up to a tree trunk for a long snooze. The owls’ spotted and barred plumage extraordinarily resembles the bark of the tree against which they are napping, making them very difficult to spot. Only owls know for sure if they choose such locations on purpose.

During your next adventure out-of-doors, remember that hidden eyes might be watching you. Challenge yourself to see what’s disguised before your eyes.

Bill Marchel, an outdoors photographer and columnist, lives near Brainerd.

Related Posts

BSC Reported: 30 minute ago, Kid Rock is calling on the ENTIRE music world artists, singers & programs nationwide to hold a minute of silence for Charlie Kirk 🇺🇸 – His call has sparked a WAVE of unity & a patriotic movement across America, touching players, coaches & fans everywhere…

In a surprising turn of events late Thursday night, a powerful storm swept through the Midwest, leaving communities in awe and scrambling to respond. As of 03:11 AM CDT on…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago, Charlie Kirk’s wife sobbed in front of the media Anonymous letter sent to my house before the presentation but my husband was forced by President Trump to follow orders or else…

In a gut-wrenching scene that has sent shockwaves nationwide, Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, broke down in tears before the media just 30 minutes ago, revealing…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 10 minutes ago, Deputy Chief Jessica Ikner, mother of the FSU shooting suspect, spoke out to confirm that her son was…

Francesca Farago’s Snapchat Exposé Rocks Hollywood, but Tallahassee Shooting by Sheriff’s Son Steals Headlines with Heartbreaking Tragedy! While Francesca Farago’s jaw-dropping Snapchat revelation about a paid smear campaign against Hailey…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago Queen Camilla and the British Royal Family sadly announced that King Charles III has …see more

Buckingham Palace Bombshell: King Charles III Abdicates Amid Health Crisis, but Vatican’s Pope Francis Assassination Plot Steals Global Focus! In a seismic shock to the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace announced…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago after Easter, the Roman Catholic Church announced that “Pope Francis” he had…

Vatican’s Shocking Video Announcement: Pope Francis Dead at 88, Alleged Suicide Amid Health Struggles Rocks the Catholic World! In a heart-wrenching blow to the global Catholic community, the Vatican released…

Read more

Whoopi Goldberg, Rυssell Crowe aпd JD Vaпce pay tribυte to Pope Fraпcis – a symbol of iпclυsive love.boombooom

Whoopi Goldberg, Russell Crowe, JD Vance and more have paid tribute to Pope Francis after the Catholic Church leader died on Monday at the age of 88. Vatican officials confirmed the Pope’s death, with…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *