Yes, there is a bird in the photo! I was within 10 feet of this LeConte's, but never could entice the bird to sit up for a decent shot. The boldly striped back is visible, as is the bright buff of the face. The median crown stripe was actually white, some of the grass I was shooting through is giving it a gray look.

You will sometimes hear these birds calling before you see them, alerting you to their presense. They have a very thin, high call note that is quite different from the Swamp Sparrow note.