| The sport of bird watching has been around for years | | | | large lens that faces the object of interest - the |
| and, right behind gardening, is the second fastest | | | | "objective" lens. The larger this lens is, the greater the |
| growing hobby in America. It has been said that | | | | amount of light the binoculars gather and thus the |
| learning to bird is like getting a lifetime ticket to theater | | | | easier it will be to see characteristics in dim light or on |
| of nature. And indeed, with their beauty and elegance, | | | | a dull-colored bird. |
| birds are an awesome part of life. Birds flash past in | | | | Don't buy compact or pocket-sized binoculars (typically |
| every shade from emerald to vermillion, beautiful as | | | | 8 x 21, or 10 x 21) as your primary pair for birding. The |
| showy flower blossoms. How could we not watch | | | | size and weight are attractive, but no matter how |
| birds? | | | | good the optics, compacts provide a lower quality |
| As with any sport or hobby, however, bird watching | | | | image than mid- or full-size binoculars. Another |
| does require patience and practice to learn and will by | | | | drawback is that most compacts have a narrow field |
| all means have its moments of frustrations. But if you | | | | of view, which makes it very difficult to locate and |
| give it a good try and learn the basics, in no time you | | | | follow birds. |
| will be addicted! | | | | A field guide is a little book that's packed with |
| What follows are some tips to help you along the way. | | | | information about birds. It's the next best thing to an |
| Binoculars are a birder's eyes on the world, and they | | | | expert birder by your side. It describes and shows |
| can greatly affect the quality of a bird outing. Good | | | | pictures of the birds, and it tells you which details of |
| binoculars make for good birding, while bad binoculars | | | | each bird to look for. A field guide can tell you what |
| can lead to missed birds and severe headaches | | | | kinds of birds might be in your particular area and give |
| induced by blurred images, double vision, and eye strain. | | | | some excellent tips on what to look for in your bird |
| When choosing a binocular for birding, cheap is | | | | watching. If you don't have a field guide, you won't |
| definitely not the way to go. | | | | have a clue about what kinds of birds you will be |
| Make sure the power (or magnification) is at least | | | | seeing, so this is essential to have. |
| 7-power. The power is the first number given in the | | | | Most guides are roughly organized in "phylogenetic |
| numerical notation that describes binoculars. For | | | | order." Phylogenetic order is the way scientists classify |
| example, a "7 X 35" pair of "glasses" will make objects | | | | all living things (not just birds) based on their |
| appear as if they are seven times as close as they | | | | evolutionary history - which creatures, according to |
| actually are. Seven-power binoculars are about the | | | | likenesses in their present-day appearance, most |
| minimum needed to see birds well. Binoculars 10- | | | | probably evolved from common ancestors. |
| power or stronger can be difficult for some birders to | | | | The beautiful part about birding is that it can truly be |
| hold steady. | | | | done anywhere! You can go to your local park and |
| Make sure that the second number ("35" for a "7 X | | | | find some great specimens. If you're traveling, you'll find |
| 35" pair of glasses) is at least five times as large as | | | | a new appreciation of the songs of birds and what |
| the power (e.g., "7 X 35," "8 X 40," etc.). This second | | | | you can find. You can even watch birds in your own |
| number describes the diameter, in millimeters, of the | | | | back yard! |