More on Birding Optics: Spotting Scopes
posted over 2 years ago | 0 comments
This is my third and final blog entry in this series on birding optics. In my two previous entries I covered the basic factors that affect how well your binoculars will work for you. Many of these factors -- particularly size + magnification (fiel...
Binoculars 101: Avoiding Common Problems (Part 2)
posted over 2 years ago, updated 2 minutes later | 0 comments
In my last blog entry I started writing on the topic of common problems folks have with their binoculars and how to avoid them. (Part 1 covered issues relating to binocular size, magnification and cost.) I’ll blather on a bit more about the all-im...
Binoculars 101: Avoiding Common Problems (Part 1)
posted over 2 years ago | 1 comment
Binoculars are to birding as a shovel is to digging. But they’re more than a utilitarian essential -- they empower us to connect more intimately with birds and all of nature. They are extensions of our eyes, our minds, and even our hearts. When pe...
How Birds Cope with Cold
posted over 2 years ago, updated 1 minute later | 2 comments
To keep warm on a cold day, we humans can dress in layers, make a cup of hot chocolate, and throw another log on the fire. Birds that tough out winter in cold climates don’t have it so easy. Many birds choose the difficult and dangerous strategy o...
Thoughts on Field Guides
posted over 2 years ago | 1 comment
Like our binoculars, birding field guides are highly evolved tools that support us to appreciate the birds in ways we couldn’t possibly enjoy otherwise.
In this blog entry I’ll do my best to summarize and share my personal experience and biases ...
In this blog entry I’ll do my best to summarize and share my personal experience and biases ...
Feeding Your Holiday Guests
posted over 2 years ago, updated 7 minutes later | 3 comments
With winter settling in across our continent, many birders prefer to do their birdwatching from the warmth and comfort of their homes. Likewise, we get a cozy feeling knowing we’re helping our dear feathered buddies survive difficult conditions by...
The Miracle of Flight
posted over 2 years ago | 1 comment
Who among us hasn’t dreamed of flapping our arms and taking flight? At this time of year when we celebrate wondrous events on many levels, I’m drawn to delve into the everyday miracle of how birds fly.
Birds are all about flight. Their hollow bo...
Birds are all about flight. Their hollow bo...
The 107th Christmas Bird Count
posted over 3 years ago, updated 3 minutes later | 0 comments
Tradition and ritual -- in all its spiritual, cultural, familial and personal diversity -- lends meaning and continuity to the holiday season. Within the vibrant subculture of birding we hold dear a deeply meaningful and important tradition that t...
We're being invaded!
posted over 3 years ago | 2 comments
If you live anywhere between the US/Canada border and roughly 35 degrees North latitude (about as far south as Pennsylvania or Kansas) your area is about to be invaded by hungry nomads. They’re unlikely to raid your refrigerator but they just migh...
Finding Lost Birds
posted over 3 years ago | 0 comments
Imagine traveling entirely alone, under your own power, over thousands of miles to a place you’ve never been. Without map, compass or GPS. Unable to carry any food or water. Across largely inhospitable terrain where deadly predators could be anywh...
