[FrankD]

It is funny you should mention this Kevin...for two reasons.

One, a birding friend of mine recently came back from an excursion to Europe (I know GB but I don't remember the other countries) and he mentioned a variety of different bird ID issues...not the least of which being the variety of difficult to ID, gray birds.

Two, when I first started posting some of my early digiscoping attempts I was surprised to see a few folks from across the pond comment on how beautiful the color and variety of birds were in my backyard (Red-bellied woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, Indigo Bunting, etc...) Now it seems I understand why.

[Tero]

They have a colorful goldfinch, did not see even one. We have goldfinches by the millions.

[FrankD]

They have a colorful goldfinch, did not see even one. We have goldfinches by the millions.

Isn't that the truth? I had four or five back by the feeder this afternoon...along with the usual house finches, sparrows, woodpeckers, etc... I think we take many of our wonderfully colorful birds for granted.

[Kevin Purcell]

We do have a colorful Jay (black and white and pink and blue patches on the wings) for which of course the American Jays are named. But when non-birders see it they get very surprised. They'll describe it. "A colorful bird". "Pink and blue". And you'll say "It's a jay". And they'll say "No, no. It wasn't a Jay". And they'll pick up a copy of Birds of Europe, flip through the pictures and show you a Hoopoe. "That's what it was!". You point out its out of range (and a rarity in the UK). But they'll have none of it.

http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Jay
http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Hoopoe

Bill Oddie (British birder and comedian) has a whole schtick on this in his Little Black Bird Book. It happened so often that he'd roll his eyes and let it go. Then he got a call from a vicar who said he had a Hoopoe on his lawn and could he come around. He went. And it was a Hoopoe. So if it's black and white and pink and blue patches on the wings and it's on a vicar's lawn there's a good chance it will be a Hoopoe.

Mention Jays and Hoope's to British birders and you can often raise a smile.

Though this is getting perilously close to Bird Ramblings in not actually mentioning any optics.

[FrankD]

Well, we can change that Kevin. What type of optics are best suited for Hoopoes?

Your joking about the name right?

[Steve C]

As distinctivce as that bird looks, optics may be optional.

[Tero]

I read the hoopoe chapter in some Bill Oddie book. No joke. Just like nonbirding people think there is no snipe.

[Kevin Purcell]

Originally Posted by FrankD

Well, we can change that Kevin. What type of optics are best suited for Hoopoes?

Your joking about the name right?

Bill Oddie? No, that's his born name ... well, William E. Oddie or the semi-Victorian W. E. Oddie when he publishes ornithology papers in august journals like British Birds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Oddie

Regarding optics to distinguish between a Jay and a Hoope I think perhaps a recent set of prescription glasses

[FrankD]

Just like nonbirding people think there is no snipe.

You should see some of the discussions I have been in over this issue. People refuse to believe that there really are Snipe in the woods.



Kevin,

I was referring to the name of the bird, not the person. :-)

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by FrankD

You should see some of the discussions I have been in over this issue. People refuse to believe that there really are Snipe in the woods.



Kevin,

I was referring to the name of the bird, not the person. :-)

Dangerous pursuit. I remember just after graduating from HS, prior to entering college and going on a Snipe Hunt with some class mates. We never saw one of them again!
Bob

[FrankD]

The classmates or the snipe?

[Kevin Purcell]

The tradition in my old Chemistry department was to send the undergrads starting their research work down to the stores for a "long stand" (quite beleiveable in our department) or the the glass blower for "glass nails".

Bert of course had a sense of humor and loved to make stuff out of glass. So he knocked up a set of 6 inch glass nails complete with flat head and barbs for the undergrad to take back to their wiseass grad student.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by FrankD

The classmates or the snipe?

The class mate of course!

Haven't seen many Snipe since then either. I'm afraid to go hunting for them!
Bob

[FrankD]

:-)

Considering the amount of time I spend out in the woods for one activity or another I am surprised I have yet to see one. Maybe I am just not in the right habitat.

This would serve as a good excuse to try out those new EO porros though.

[Tero]

Woodcock in spring are a little easier. Snipe do have some similar flights, but nearly all I have found were in fields, by ditches and by roads. Spring is good for snipes. Pretty big birds, scope should not be necessary.

[Tero]

I have had the Cinese ED Promaster 10x42 for maybe a year. Lots of year birds with them, but finally a lifer: Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow.

[marcus]

Today,on a computer at work I went to EagleOptics.com and bought one of the new 8.5 Monarchs. I'm hoping $579 means it will be better than a regular Monarch.
But no matter how good it turns out to be, I don't need another binocular.

[Tero]

I think it will be 0.5x better than an 8.0x.

[FrankD]

I have to admit Marcus that I believe you have quite a collection of open-bridge bins at this point. Do you still have all of them or did you move some on?

[RJM]

Originally Posted by marcus

Today,on a computer at work I went to EagleOptics.com and bought one of the new 8.5 Monarchs. I'm hoping $579 means it will be better than a regular Monarch.
But no matter how good it turns out to be, I don't need another binocular.

I took the 10.5x45 Monarch X for a spin a few weeks ago. Other than being incredibly lightweight for a bino that size, it pretty much sucked. Perhaps my expectations are too high for a bino in this price range though.

cheers,
Rick

[marcus]

Originally Posted by RJM

I took the 10.5x45 Monarch X for a spin a few weeks ago. Other than being incredibly lightweight for a bino that size, it pretty much sucked. Perhaps my expectations are too high for a bino in this price range though.

cheers,
Rick

Thanks for telling me Rick. I was hoping that I'll be getting something super but no, I guess not. You are serious?

[marcus]

Originally Posted by FrankD

I have to admit Marcus that I believe you have quite a collection of open-bridge bins at this point. Do you still have all of them or did you move some on?

No, I shouldn't have done what I've done. I guess those kind of binoculars are just pretty to me.

[RJM]

Sorry for spoiling your fun. But yes, the 10.5x sample I used had significant off axis aberration(s) that could not be refocused out. I could only guess the center 40% was relatively in focus. Perhaps I have just been spoiled by my EII ultrawides. I also reconfirmed I don't particularly like their quasi-open hinge design. I didn't try the 8.5x model as I wasn't interested in it because of the significantly smaller AFoV.

again sorry,
Rick

[Tero]

I have a private message about a 9x35 Nikon. Nothing urgent, but YOUR mailbox is full.

Here is my response

Thanks. I no longer have even my little 9x25. There is a Vortex 9x36 but did not have tha cash to check it out yet. I never buy on credit, then return..

The vintage binos really are not my interest. I prefer new ones with warranty. I think I have sent 3 pairs for repair so far.
T.

[Tero]

OK, nothing has happened on th optics front since my 100 dollar backup scope.

So, the porro 8.5x32 is on order. I will see if I can replace my 8x42 porro with it. Or retire the 8x42. I may keep it to lend to any birding companion.