What did you see in your binoculars today? (2 Viewers)

[StephenL]

Apologies for the poor photograph but was a last minute shot. Just need the pear tree now 😁

 

[tenex]

My first bird of the day was an American robin, which are scarce at the end of December

Glad you could get out. Funny, we have whole flocks here in winter. Just saw 20+ today. Perhaps Central Park can't support that?

 

[jafritten]

We have just returned from North Germany. In between some family duties I found the time to enjoy two outings in a nature and bird conservation area that I know very well. So, I knew where I had to unshoulder my rucksack (which can be used as stool as well). I had sat there for a bit when two kingfishers sped by performing breathtaking aerial stunts (see below). From the same spot I watched a couple of white-tailed eagles. One of them also performed a few stunts for no apparent reason (see below). On one day the light was pretty poor but there were some nice sunny spells, so watching the birds was lovely. I used an EL 8.5x which performed great under changing conditions.

 

[Maljunulo]

Wow!

 

[Belumat]

Today I had an afternoon of observation in a lake. Then I went to a nearby rock face and observed a wollcreper for a long time. Then I saw and heard my first eagle owl. Opticron Aurora 8x42 and swaro ATS 80

 

[Samolot]

Today was out testing a new binocular on a tripod. Managed to see, for the first time ever, a belted kingfisher. Really beautiful bird. Maven B5 15x56.

 

[Bentley03]

On Sunday morning I used my Pentax Papilio ii 6.5x21 binoculars to successfully seek and destroy a tick which had taken up residence in my pubic area.

The photographic evidence has been withheld for everyone's sake.

 

[Richard D]

Not exactly a rarity, but an uncommon enough sighting this morning to be a nice surprise was a Spotted Redshank driven down the creek by the cold weather. That, a Kingfisher and a decent number of Common Redshank made a quick trip to the supermarket worthwhile.

 

[tenex]

What we did not see yesterday: the dozen Western Bluebirds that were staying on "all winter" (we thought) by the local lake. Oh well...

 

[Thotmosis]

Today, early in the morning, i watched the rising sun through the fog with three of my binoculars and it was very spectacular almost magical. No, it WAS magical! This huge red bal of fire and a dark black spot inside i never noticed before. The fog worked as a filter so for a minut or two i could look directly into the sun. For some reason i felt very happy to be alive, happy to own a stable of nice optics and happy that it is saterday and i do’t have to go to work.

 

[AlphaFan]

Was in South Florida this week and treated to some great views. A few highlights were a pair of Snail Kites hunting along a small canal, the spectacular Blue and Yellow Macaws, a massive (5 species) flock of parakeets putting on a show complete with vocals, and the almost too cute to be real Burrowing Owls.

 

[edwincjones]

Little Brown Creeper climbing up a tree trunk on a woodland hike

edj

 

[MiddleRiver]

Loggerhead Shrike...on a VERY windy day. Test driving new 10x NV

 

[Richard D]

Mainly waders, but the most enjoyable was a Little Owl seemingly sunbathing on a shack roof.

 

[Scott98]

Little Brown Creeper climbing up a tree trunk on a woodland hike

edj

I recently wrote about my first discovery of these little guys - gorgeous birds. Every possible shade of brown you could imagine on their backs. I'm still getting started, the thrill of discovering local birds for the first time is fun!

Yesterday, for the first time, I saw and identified Harlequin Ducks and Ruddy Turnstones, two of the most beautiful paint jobs you'll ever see in nature IMO. Also Northern Gannett - I think I may have seen one on a whale watch trip many years ago but that doesn't really count. They're huge, spectacular birds. Amazing to think every one you see was born on a rocky sea cliff somewhere out there.

 

[jafritten]

Was in South Florida this week and treated to some great views. A few highlights were a pair of Snail Kites hunting along a small canal, the spectacular Blue and Yellow Macaws, a massive (5 species) flock of parakeets putting on a show complete with vocals, and the almost too cute to be real Burrowing Owls.View attachment 1490100View attachment 1490101View attachment 1490102View attachment 1490103

The owl is great! I love it.

 

[Richard D]

First Hen Harrier (ring-tail) of the year.

 

[Thotmosis]

The owl is great! I love it.

The yellow eyes are fascinating, unreal almost.

 

[Belumat]

Undulating display of Golden eagle.

 

[Maljunulo]

I didn’t realize that Macaws ran around loose in Florida.