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