Showing posts with label Birdwatching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birdwatching. Show all posts

14 August 2009

Getting To Know Portable Or Compact Binoculars

Binoculars - a working collection.Image by jlcwalker via Flickr

By Joe Hammonds

Many people enjoy spending time outside doing bird watching and other activities that require the use of binoculars. However, one of the most common complaints among these enthusiasts is that they hate carrying the actual tools around. Thankfully, a new option has been made available for them through the world of portable or compact binoculars.

There is a wide range of prices when it comes to these products. For the most part, you're going to have to expect that you might not get everything you would from ordinary binoculars. However, if you can afford to pay a bit more, you can get specialty ones that will give you a viewpoint you'd never expect something so small could offer.

In general, though, you'll probably save money by getting an average quality pair of these. You might want to give up the ones you own now for that reason alone, but they're especially useful if you're going to be moving around a lot without anywhere else to store them. Whether for bird watching, or just everyday travel, they're a great option.

If this is your first pair of binoculars, or if you just aren't that familiar with what you own now, it's probably a good idea to learn the specifications of what's available before you start to shop. You'll see that binoculars are very much like two miniature telescopes stuck together, being composed of many of the same parts on each side.

You should also try to figure out which brand and model are going to meet your individual needs. If you're going to be in wet areas, you might want something waterproof. You should see where you can find the brightest panoramic views. In the end, though, the biggest goal is to be able to walk freely without being weighed down.

There are a good number of companies you might want to consider for several different reasons, one of which being the lenses they offer. Because they've been treated with an anti-reflective coating, you'll get the image you're looking for. These are also easy to adjust thanks to their knobs, meaning you can switch from close views to a distance with ease.

Also, there are manufacturers that are reputable and boast of a proven history of making good products. This is something you'll want to check up on no matter whom you end up dealing with. You'll want to get the best deal for your money, and this means comparing products before you settle on a final offer.

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29 May 2009

Places to Find Birds For Birdwatching

People in Orchid, Florida use binoculars for b...Image via Wikipedia

By Todd Hammerstein

Catch bird watching fever, and you will become a birdwatcher for life. Your hobby will quickly become a lifestyle as you find yourself always searching for new bird viewing sites. Here is a little help for new birdwatchers on where to find good watching spots.

Whether you are in your neighborhood or traveling somewhere far from home you can find premium bird watching spots by following a few general rules. One thing to remember is that birds are fairly predictable. They show up in certain places at certain times just like clockwork. This gives you a little insight as to when and where you should choose to try and view birds.

As urban sprawl eats up wooded areas it is often difficult to find a place to bird watch, especially in the city. You may, however, find that there are city and neighborhood parks with enough woods to attract birds. These could be good spotting sites, as could the fringes of any wooded areas that still remain near your home.

If you live near the beach, you are probably already aware of a variety of beach and ocean birds that live near you. The best time to spot these birds is early in the morning, although herons and egrets may be spotted in bogs and marshes in the cool of the afternoon. Depending on where you live, including the climate and coastal habitat you may see sandpipers, plovers, and a variety of other shorebirds.

Marshes and flooded areas may make you think more of mosquitoes than birds. The truth is, mosquitoes make good food for birds, and these are usually good bird spotting areas. Where there are bugs you will find birds. Look for species such as bitterns, blackbirds, wrens, sparrows, flycatchers and warblers.

An extra tidbit to know is that non-migrating birds often live near man-made structures like dams. The flowing water seems to attract birds. The best way to begin spotting birds is to get outside and look. If you can't find any in the areas given here, find your own spot. You'll soon get a sense of where the birds are in your area.

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