Gearing Up for Bird Watching
- Try several kinds of binoculars before deciding what to buy.
Binoculars ranging from 7x35 to 10x50 are ideal for bird-watching.
Compact models are handy for carrying in your pocket. There are
binoculars to suit most pockets; check your favorite camera or
department store, outdoor equipment shop, discount outlet, or mail-order
catalog.
- For beginning birders, your best bet is 7x35 binoculars with coated
lenses and central focusing. The 7 indicates the power of magnification;
a bird will appear seven times closer. The 35 is the lens size in
millimeters. A ratio of one to five or one to six between magnification
power and lens size is generally considered best; the lens is large
enough in relation to the magnification power to admit enough light for
distinguishing colors in low light.
- Coated lenses reduce glare and the halo effect common in uncoated
lenses. Be sure to protect the coating with a special cleaning kit,
available at camera stores.
- Using binoculars efficiently takes practice. Try them first on a
stationary object to learn to locate it and focus quickly; then practice
with a moving object, such as a car, a plane, or a bird in your
backyard. Youll soon get the knack of keeping your eyes on the bird
while raising the binoculars.
- Many river companies carry high-powered spotting scopes that can be
set up at camp for wildlife watching. These powerful scopes can make it
easy to see birds at a great distance.
- Take along a good guide, such as the National Geographic Field Guide
to the Birds of North America.
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