The Wren's Pajamas

Every once in awhile, I get sent a photo like these.

What's that little speckled thing in my planter? I only see it at night.

Thanks to Melissa from DC for this adorable conundrum. Zick loves a conundrum. 

 There are these things that appear on my porch every night. What in the world are they?

Thanks to Sharon from Brunswick for this lovely shot from Maine. A puzzled friend sent it to her, and she sent it to me. Even though she knew what it was.

 Pinecones? Mice? Fair question! Read on. 

 Carolina wrens possess a plumage characteristic that's seldom seen, and even more seldom photographed. I've been trying to catch it with my camera for years, and a cooperative bird on Dean's Fork finally granted me an audience in the warm end of October sun.

When I saw the wren preening, I decided to wait and see what might be revealed.

You can see the gray bases of the bird's back feathers here as it raises them. 

And then, shazzam! the secret Carolina wren polka-dots are suddenly revealed! Do click on the photos for greater detail.

You  never see these white spots on a sleek, moving Carolina wren. The bird has to raise and spread its back and rump feathers on purpose. Only then are they revealed.

Having brought them out, the wren leaves them out. And we can also admire the dots and dashes on the leading edge of its primaries.

I believe that these spangles serve a purpose in camouflaging sleeping birds. Otherwise, why would they sleep with their backs turned to any possible observer? To me, these roosting wrens look like lots of things, most of all pinecones or mushrooms, but not much like birds. And I suspect that's the point of those unexpected spots. Were these birds tucked into a tree cavity or rock crevice instead of a metal awning, they'd simply disappear, become part of the scenery. 

It was a true treat to see a Carolina wren in its pajamas during the day. I'd only seen it once before, on a subzero day when this little one tried to catch some rays in between bites of Zick Dough. 

It's finally nasty here. 40 and raining. Time to make the Zick Dough! 

Now you have seen the Wren's Pajamas.