Most people in the birding community have heard of the Christmas Bird Counts (aka CBC), but many probably aren’t aware how this annual tradition started. Frank Chapman, a founder of the National Audubon Society and Curator of Birds at the American Museum of Natural History, began the CBC as a way to draw attention to [...]
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Using a Photo Adapter
Another method of connecting a D-SLR to a spotting scope has been around for many years, but film SLR cameras were used prior to digital. In this configuration, the eyepiece is removed from the spotting scope and the lens is removed from the D-SLR. Using a T-ring that’s specific to the camera body, the scope [...]
More about DSLR Digiscoping
Someone we need to see more digiscoping from is my co-worker Ben Lizdas of 600 birds blog. He’s made a few changes to his digiscoping rig since last time I blogged about him, upgrading from the Leica Televid 77 APO to the new Leica Televid 82 APO. This gorgeous photo of a Bald Eagle was [...]
Leave your Camera Attached!
I’m sure you’ve seen the following digiscoping practice in the field. Using a spotting scope, a birder scans terrain and habitat when something of interest grabs his attention. Perhaps it’s a shy Sora that has sauntered into the open from thick marsh grasses, or maybe a beautiful Magnolia Warbler has perched on a [...]
Barred Owl eating a Mourning Dove
Early on 9/7/09 at Pheasant Branch Conservancy (WI), my birding group happened upon a Barred Owl that was finishing off a Mourning Dove. We were able to identify the food item when it consumed one of the wings (not on the video, unfortunately). Nevertheless, a very cool observation! The video was captured via my Nikon [...]
Binocular Steadiness
As binocular magnification increases, they become less easy to hold steady. The vast majority of optics users can hold an 8x binocular steady without much difficulty. With 10x, a significant portion of users will experience discernable image shake. At 12x or above, I generally recommend tripod mounting the binocular to obtain the [...]
Capturing Video through Binoculars
I was surprised by a young Barred Owl that flew over me while birding a few days ago. Amazingly, it landed on the shore of the creek and proceeded to drink! I didn’t have my spotting scope or tripod in order to digiscoping it, but I still wanted to capture a video of [...]
Future Nature Lovers Of America
At Eagle Optics, we feel a serious obligation to help every age learn to appreciate the world around us. One way is by offering savings on the purchase of the Eagle Optics Raven Young Naturalists Kit. Another terrific way we can fulfill this commitment is by assisting educational programs with their need for binoculars. At Eagle Optics, your can stretch your dollars further and get longtime and future nature lovers [...]
Midwest Birding Symposium Coming In September
Register Today
A check of the calendar shows only eight weeks left until the incredible Midwest Birding Symposium convenes in Lakeside, Ohio from September 17th to 20th. Registration is easily available online, and you have the option of signing up for anywhere from one to four days.
The MWBS has lined up a star of the stage and screen as well as a number of rock stars from the birding world to speak [...]
