Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to IWS Eagle Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Chat - Sunday, December 18, 2011; One week until Christmas!
Topic Started: Dec 18 2011, 08:12 AM (183 Views)
Artsy Mom
Member Avatar
Eagle Guardian
Posted Image

Hope you have a great Sunday Cruzers :D

It's a balmy -3C/27F here and heading to +3C/38F with a chance of :rn: showers :P This is unheard of here but it will change to :flk: :flk: later in the evening. Next week is more of the same so it just could happen that all the snow is gone for Christmas :o That would be a first!!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Artsy Mom
Member Avatar
Eagle Guardian
Mike Inman got some great :clk: :clk: of the Juvie  :<<o>>: intruder at the NBG nest this week.
It is not a banded bird so it probably was not from the nest. The new Mom and the NBG Dad do not seem to be too disturbed although the new Mom escorted it away and has spent a few nights in the nest to take ownership of it :P

Posted Image :clk: for all the latest news on the NBG nest. Image by Reese Lukei

Mike's Photos
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Artsy Mom
Member Avatar
Eagle Guardian
Just in case you haven't quite finished your shopping here is a detailed description by Ed Clark about binoculars for birding. Always a wonderful gift for the serious birder and hobbyist alike :)^ He is talking about going on Safari, but it holds true for anytime you go out looking for the birds :D

Ed Clark, WCV: BINOCULARSI place this first on the list because I have seen too many people compromise their experience by trying to save a few dollars on this critical piece of gear. Purchase or borrow a good pair of binoculars, and do not plan on sharing one pair within a couple. (I have seen marriages put in jeopardy as spouses come to blows over who gets to see the rare whatever-it-is next, and who is hogging the binoculars.) Do not buy those cheap pocket binoculars. You are traveling half way around the world to see African wildlife. Do not diminish your trip by being cheap about the purchase of the binoculars through which you will be seeing it.

I generally recommend binoculars between 7X35 and 8X50 for most folks. This refers to the magnification power and the diameter of the lenses, (7X35 magnifies 7 times and has a lens of 35 mm diameter, a relatively small lens.) Compact binoculars of 8X25 are okay, but you will be much happier with a full-sized set of glasses. Unless you are very experienced spotting things in nature through a lens, and have very good hand/eye coordination, shy away from either 9X or 10X. The 12X50 models some sales person may try to sell you are out of the question for this application. With glasses that are too strong, most animals will be gone before you can spot them. I personally use 10X42, but I also spot wildlife professionally and need to see more detail than most travelers would even recognize, let alone appreciate. The field of view (how much you can see through the lenses) is reduced as you get more power. We will be pretty close to most stuff, so you don’t need too much than 7 or 8 power magnification.

I strongly suggest you not plan to spend less than $100 on whatever you buy. On the other hand, unless you plan to use them a lot when you get home (or would like to make a nice gift to your beloved trip leader—yours truly!) you don’t need Swarovski binoculars either, which go for $1,500+. You can get a really nice set of Nikons (I like the Monarch Series), Bushnell, Swift, for between $200 and $350 dollars. A decent set will last you a lifetime. Here is a link to an excellent article on how to select binoculars to meet your particular needs:

Bird Watching Optics Chart

If you really like high-tech toys, you might consider the image stabilization binoculars. I have not personally used them, but one of my colleagues here at the Wildlife Center has a pair of 12X36 Canon IS binoculars, and she loves them. You get a general bead on your target, then push the IS button. Electronically, the vibration in the image is dramatically reduced.

I also strongly recommend getting a shoulder harness for your binoculars and not using the neck strap that will come with them. These are available at Wal-mart or in most sporting goods stores for about $20. They take the weight off your neck and put it on your shoulders. They also prevent the binoculars from swinging around, getting tangled up in your camera. Trust me; this small investment will keep your binoculars available at all times, yet out of the way. I will be wearing mine almost all the time, regardless of where we are, or what we’re doing. There is sooooo much to see, don’t miss it by bringing along toy opera glasses, as some have done, or by having to dig around in a backpack every time you want to see something. This whole trip is about seeing Africa. Bring the right tools!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Join the millions that use us for their forum communities. Create your own forum today.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
« Previous Topic · Daily Chat · Next Topic »
Add Reply