Galileo 8×40 Wide Angle Binoculars
February 11, 2008
The Complete Birder: A Guide to Better Birding
February 11, 2008
Customer Review: Ain’t No Such Thing as a ‘Trash Bird’
I’ll say, categorically, that Jack Connor’s book, The Complete Birder, is the best single introduction to birding I’ve ever seen. Period. It will greatly shorten a beginner’s learning-curve, and it will help reinforce good birding techniques in the more experienced. And–bonus!–it’s a totally great read!
Listen, being a beginning birder has to be one of the hardest things in the world. There’s a gazillion things to memorise or to look at depending on whether a bird’s male or female, young or old, or molting its plumage, or it’s a certain subspecies, or color-form, or time of year, or the direction of light, or the moon’s in Capricorn. There’s a further kabillion calls & songs to learn, and if you’re like most people, your auditory memory is about on a par with your ability to whistle all the parts in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. There’s migration stuff, which can get pretty complicated sometimes. To a beginning birder, far too many bird species just look and sound just the same and it can drive you nuts for the first little while until, as the British birders put it, ‘you get your eye in’ on them.
But learning how to become a birder is more than just memorising plumage patterns, flight-styles, calls, & songs; it’s more than getting the best bird guides, & optical rig, & software, etc. It involves many things you just won’t know until you find them out, that’s where Jack Connor gives us such a gift with his book, ‘The Complete Birder’. He helps organise that initial chaos with an easy humor (check out his ‘warbler four-count’, and his wry account of his run-in with a certain hawk in Florida), shared wisdom, and a hard-headed practicality. He understands the places where beginners are likely to run into technical & conceptual snags and head down blind alleys, and he helps you avoid them with solid advice & suggestions. He understands the interior processes of birding and describes them simply and compellingly so that you can appreciate them consciously as well.
Especially, he helps you learn to pay attention to what’s important, to be a complete observer. So you’ll never see a ‘trash-bird’, a bird so common & familiar that it becomes furniture in front of that hot rarity, or wallpaper behind it: instead, every bird will be an object of wonder & curiosity. That sounds simple yet it’s anything but, and Connor’s wonderful book will help you achieve it better & quicker than just about anything else I’ve ever heard of. I’ve had my copy for nearly fifteen years (the optical stuff is a bit dated but his general advice is still totally valid), and I still re-read it, not only for new insights & salutary reminders, but just for the heck-yeah fun of it.
Customer Review: Essential birdwatching reading
For any active birdwatcher who goes beyond their backyard this volume is essential reading. Connor writes in a lively, entertaining, but also very educational style. Chapter on optics will be very helpful for beginners, but probably best are his chapters on various bird groups where individual species can be difficult to learn (I especially like the chapters on warblers, hawks, and shorebirds). Out of the multitude of birdwatching books available there are few, if any, that fill quite the same intermediate niche as this volume does so well. Warning: there are no color pictures or photos here for those especially interested in such, but this now classic instructive text is well worth the price for avid birders. Buy from here…
A Guide to Bird Finding in Kansas and Western Missouri
February 11, 2008
Kansas and western Missouri are astonishingly rich in birdlife. Located in the very center of the North American continent, the area is home to most of the eastern bird fauna and many of the western species, and even hosts occasional visitors from the far north. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in Kansas alone, an abundance that places it among the top five birding states in the country.
Bird Finding in Kansas and Western Missouri is a guide to this rich mosaic of birdlife. Written for both resident and visiting birders, the book begins with an introduction to the region’s avian diversity and to its eleven major biotic communities. Illustrated with 17 line drawings by renowned artist and ornithologist Robert Mengel, A Guide to Bird Finding also features 26 detailed maps, a checklist of birds of the region, and an annotated list of “Specialty Species.” The book’s main focus, though is on birding tours–75 of them. Meticulously described and thoroughly “road-tested,” these tours lead down paved highways, dirt roads, and paths, past old cemeteries, around lakes, along creeks, into cities, and out onto the prairie, winding through the birding hotspots of Kansas and western Missouri.
With this new guide in hand, birders can tailor their expeditions to focus on the big picture, taking advantage of all the birding possibilities a particular location has to offer, or the small picture, searching out one or two especially challenging species. Zimmerman and Patti have provided information on road conditions and tour routes, and have also zeroed in on a few birding surprises–like Bobolinks next to saline marshes in central Kansas.
Among the many birding possibilities the book suggests are: a trip to the tallgrass prairie of the Flint Hills where Greater Prairie-chickens and Henslow’s Sparrows can be seen; a tour of the Cimarron National Grassland, the best place in the U.S, to see Lesser Prairie-chickens; a tour of Missouri’s Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, the spectacular staging area for over 500,000 geese and other waterfowl; and a trip to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms, internationally significant wetlands that are an essential migration stopover for hundreds of species , particularly waterfowl and shorebirds, and even Whooping Cranes. Buy from here…
Wisconsin Bird Watching : A Year-Round Guide
February 11, 2008
Bushnell 20×50 Powerview Porro Prism Binoculars Plus Accessory Package
February 11, 2008
Travelers, nature observers and concert goers take note: The Power View series offers the largest line of Bushnell quality, affordable binoculars. No matter what your purpose, you’ll find a variety of magnifications, styles and sizes, and fully coated optics for bright, vivid images. Standard-size models feature Instant-Focus for fast and easy focus on moving targets. The porro prism line-up provides great durability and performance in an attractive “traditional” porro prism design. Compact to full-sized, the contemporary styling houses fully coated optics. Suffice to say, images are crisp, clear and bright – even in low light. Affordable for any and all interested in magnifying life to its fullest. Specifications for this Bushnell binocular include: Magnification: 20x, Objective lens: 50mm, Field of view at 1,000 yards: 170 feet. Like their roof prism relatives, the porro prism line-up provides great durability and performance in a “traditional” porro prism design. Compact to full-sized, the contemporary styling houses fully coated optics. Suffice to say, images are crisp, clear and bright – even in low light. Affordable for any and all interested in magnifying life to its fullest. PRODUCT FEATURES: Multi-coated optics for superior light transmission and brightness; Non-slip rubber armor absorbs shock while providing a firm grip; Contemporary styling. +Plus+ Accessory Package: – Multipurpose Lens Pen Cleaning Tool – Micro-Fiber Cleaning Cloth 5.25×5.75 inch. Buy from here…
Galileo 15×5 Zoom Binocular
February 8, 2008
GALILEO C-71535 715 x 35mm Zoom Porro Prism Binoculars with Fully Coated Optics 7x15x power zoom; 35mm objectives; Porro prism design;Fully coated optics;Water-resistant;Fold-down rubber eye cups;Binocular tripod socket;Rubber armoring;Includes carrying case, straps and lens cloth; Limited lifetime warranty 715 x 35mm Zoom Porro Prism Binoculars with Fully Coated Optics Buy from here…
Bushnell Elite 12.5×50 Binoculars
February 8, 2008
We started with a blank sheet of paper and let 50 years of excellence in the field lead us to the very pinnacle of performance in sporting optics. With 90% light transmission through the entire optical system, theyre the brightest binoculars in their class. Premium BaK-4 roof prisms with PC-3® phase coating produce outstanding image clarity and contrast. Waterproof, fogproof construction and our patented Rainguard® coating keep your view clear in any weather. The shape and weight are perfection as well, thanks to a streamlined, ultra-light magnesium chassis. Like all true masterpieces, Elite binoculars transcend comparisons.
Customer Review: Excellent optics
I also own Swarovski and Leica binoculars and have used them extensively on my ranch in Montana in all conditions. I have been extremely happy with those products. I have preferred the Swarovski over the Lecias as they tend to be lighter and just feel better to me.
It was time to add another pair to my collection so I figured I would give the top end Bushnells a try. I was extremely surprised with the performance of these binoculars. They are very light in weight (lighter than the other brands) and do perform as well, if not better, than the other optics I have. In general they compete very well with the Swarovski and Leica optics and given they are so light in weight – they now have become my primary pair and visitors to the ranch get to use the others.
They perform excellent in low light and I have yet to have a fogging problem with them.
Maybe it’s just me, but I did not notice much difference between the 12.5x compared to the 10x Swarovskis – so you decide. I did a side by side test and the extra 2.5x does not make that big of a difference. But hey, bigger has to be better right? You should make the call on the trade off of more magnification vs wider field of view. I don’t have a problem finding what I am looking for as my binoculars live with me on the ranch, but if you struggle with putting the binoculars up and then finding what you are looking for, the 10x might be a better choice for you. I trust the 10x Bushnells will be the same quality as the 12.5x ones I purchased.
I have been using 10×42 binoculars so I was worried going with x50 as they might make the overall size of the binocular a bit bulky, but this is not the case with these.
I try not to abuse optics in this price range, so I did not drop test them or let them ride in the back of the pickup for a rattle test. But in looking them over, they appear to be very well built and can stand up to abuse as well as the other brands.
The focus control, etc is quick and easy.
Overall I am very pleased with the product. Buy from here…
The Birdwatcher’s Guide to Hawai’i (Kolowalu Books)
February 8, 2008
This is the first site-specific birding book written especially for the casual or novice birder. It is a fully illustrated look at more than 60 top birding sites on O`ahu, Kaua`i, the Big Island, Maui, Moloka`i, and Lanai. Every spot described offers something special–forest-dwelling birds unique to Hawai`i, seabirds that rarely visit the shore, or introduced birds found in city parks and gardens.
Birds of greatest interest and those most likely to be seen at each site are given particular attention, with information on seasonal occurrences to help visitors plan their birding trips. Site descriptions note activities and nearby points of interest, detailed directions to the sites, and available facilities for visitors. Helpful occurrence tables show at a glance where common and uncommon birds can be found. General information on birding in Hawai`i, a description of the processes that led to extensive speciation, and a review of the threats against Hawaiian birdlife are included.
Customer Review: Not for strangers in paradise
Before our first visit to Hawaii I searched to find something that would serve as a useful guide for a trip that would permit only casual bird-watching. This book is really best for someone able to dedicate time to exploring the recommended hikes. Having said that, my main complaint about the book is that the illustrations are of little use to someone from the North American continent who is unfamiliar with Hawaii’s birds, as the majority of readers probably are. After all, which would be more useful, good color photos of Northern Cardinals, or a photo of the ‘Apapane? A photo of a Black-crowned Night Heron, or a photo of the ‘I’iwi? The Birdwatchers Guide has very good photos of a male and a female cardinal and the heron, which are close to ubiquitous in the mainland USA, and none of the latter, which are totally unfamiliar to mainlanders. There are lots of black and white photos of things like people looking through binoculars, road signs, and trails, none of which are terribly useful to birdwatchers trying to ID unfamiliar species…
Customer Review: Useful and interesting
Rick Soehren knows Hawai’i and its birds, and this site guide is a great help to visitors. Soehren describes, island by island, where to find Hawai’i's birds, and in the process gives the reader some of Hawai’i's avian history. The book is illustrated with good black-and-white photographs. I have used the book on Hawai’i and Kaua’i and have found it clear, accurate, and very useful. Buy from here…
Galileo 24×50 Zoom Binocular
February 8, 2008
Zooms From 8x Power To 24x Power Large 50mm Objective Lenses Ensure Bright Clear Images Fully-coated Optics Water-resistant Fold-down Rubber Eye Cups Rubber Armoring Tripod Socket Magnification: 8-24mm X 50mm Includes Carrying Case Straps Lens Cloth&Instructions Lmited Lifetime Warranty
Customer Review: an pretty good binocular
Found a loose fitting on one of the eye pieces. Otherwise ok for the price. Beautifully collimated, bright and clear. (Have since tried ordering other binoculars, and found them impossibly collimated: I didn’t realize how hard it is to get a set of inexpensive binoculars that work properly.)
Customer Review: Excellent choice!
The binocular has a great field of vision with the option for high powered magnification or moderate magnification. It is rare to find binoculars that will do all of this. Tripod is needed for clear views with the higher magnifications but hand held viewing is fine for the lower powers. Buy from here…
Bushnell Powerview 10×25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binoculars (Camouflage) #132517
February 8, 2008
Travelers, nature observers and concert goers take note: The PowerView series offers the largest line of Bushnell quality, affordable binoculars. No matter what your purpose, you’ll find a variety of magnifications, styles and sizes, and fully coated optics for bright, vivid images. Buy from here…
