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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. Merg

    Southeastern Arizona - Jan 19-21, 2013 - Sparrows & Hawks

    Hi all...long time no see... I have decent thoughts for two of these, but am not 100% sure. The others I'm less than 50% sure... Hawk #1: Spotty streaks, short hooked beak, light eye, slightly paler feathers under the eye, my guess is (edited to add: immature) Red-Shouldered - but they are...
  2. Merg

    Bled, Slovenia - sparrow-ish bird

    These were taken near the shore of Lake Bled in Slovenia. They are terrible photos, but I'm hoping the rosy throat, plain grey underside, white undertail, and white patch on the wing over the legs may be distinctive and can help ID'ing this bird. I've been through the European bird books I...
  3. Merg

    Domestic or Wild Hybrid Goose? Mass, USA

    These are terrible cell phone photos, but they're the best I have. Mostly black neck, with some mottled gray on the back of it. White face with black cap on back of the head, and black eye line. Mostly orange bill with some black on it. Orange legs. Rest of body coloring almost identical to...
  4. Merg

    Birding Costa Rica?

    I've never traveled out of country, but have been asked by my GF if I would like to plan a trip to Costa Rica... strictly for birding. :) I hope I'm not out of line by asking for opinions/help here... I'll probably have 7 days to bird Costa Rica. What would you suggest as an itinerary for...
  5. Merg

    Help on Autumn Warbler - Cambridge, MA, USA

    Saw this bird flitting in some low trees along the edge of a pond yesterday afternoon. The size and bill suggest warbler... any thoughts as to which one it is? All photos are of the same bird.
  6. Merg

    Name that Kingbird?

    Shot this photo in Pharr, TX, which means this is one of 3 possible kingbirds, as far as I can tell... Western, Cassin's and Couch's... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3780076350_1667301662_o.jpg Any ideas which one of the three it might be? I have an opinion (Western - white under tail...
  7. Merg

    Average number of "life" birds on trip to new area?

    Just curious how many new lifers you tend to tally if you're going to a very new habitat/area that isn't close to your home region? The only time I've ever really gone to a totally different region since I've been birding, I went out for about 3 hours and got about 20 new birds. I'm going to...
  8. Merg

    Rent or Buy a scope?

    I'm travelling to South Texas and the Rio Grande in July. My current scope (the Vortex Skyline 20-60x80 [non-ED version]) is not worth bringing with me. I'm very unhappy with it even at the lower magnifications. So the question is, would you bother renting a scope (total cost: $107USD) like...
  9. Merg

    200th lifer!!!!

    I decided to get out early this morning before work to get a couple hours in at Mount Auburn Cemetary. I saw 3 lifers today: Northern Rough-winged swallow Spotted Sandpiper (probably have seen one before , but this was a first definitive ID) and last but not least: Eastern Screech Owl!! <--...
  10. Merg

    Visiting San Antonio mid-July. Tips?

    I'm visiting SA in mid-July for 4 or 5 days. Does anyone have any suggestions for any hot-spots? I'm coming from Massachusetts and haven't ever been to Texas, so am hoping to add at least a handful of lifers while I'm down there. Thanks!
    • Merg
    • Thread
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Texas
  11. Merg

    2nd mid-priced pair? or sell-and-upgrade?

    My GF is recently interested in birdwatching and is looking for a pair of "good" binoculars. Her price range is in the $300-ish range. I have a pair of Pentax DCF WP 8x42's which have served me really well. The question is: If this were your situation, would you let her get another pair of...
  12. Merg

    ID Help - Huntington Central Park - Huntington Beach, CA

    Not even sure how to describe this one... Vireo-ish? Anyway, as you can see, it was out in the open. About 5" long or so. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...
  13. Merg

    ID Help Please - Snow x Canada Hybrid?

    Hi all, Saw these in a cemetery pond in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. My first thought is that it's a Snow x Canada Hybrid. Thoughts?
  14. Merg

    Best lens or lens/TC combo for <$2000 USD?

    I'll soon be in the market for something 400mm or up, and I'm curious if you all had $2000, which lens, or lens/TC combo would you go for? I know there's an uncountable number of combos, but these are some of the ones that come to mind... Sigma 50-500mm Sigma 80-400mm OS Tamron 200-500mm Nikon...
    • Merg
    • Thread
    • Replies: 19
    • Forum: Nikon
  15. Merg

    Hawk ID - Mass, USA

    Seen on a branch overhanging a path in the woods. It was a smallish hawk, though it's hard to give a reference size. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Picture 1 Picture 2
  16. Merg

    Unknown Plover - Massachusetts, USA

    I'm about 75% sure this is a juvenile killdeer...but I'd like some other opinions... reasons why it might be: black bill light stripe over/behind eye giss it's not significantly larger than the dunlin in the one picture (IF I got that I.D. right) reasons why it might not be: mainly the...
  17. Merg

    Yet another Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO question. Compatibility Question...

    Are the non-DG versions also compatible with the Nikon D200? For the moment I'm assuming they are, but I can't find definitive confirmation of this anywhere online... Thanks.
  18. Merg

    Unknown Thrush(?) - Maine, USA

    Seen perched in a small clump of pines at the back edge of a cemetary. Inland. 700ft elev. 3 photos at normal size, and one zoomed in an attempt to show a little more of the coloration...
  19. Merg

    Another Unknown Small Bird - MA, USA - Help ID

    I don't even have a guess here. I'm terrible with warbler-type birds, and would really appreciate any help... Seen in a tree, in a cemetary. All pictures are of the same bird.
  20. Merg

    Help with ID - Massachusetts, USA - Unknown Small Bird

    Seen in a cemetary, on the edge of some dense brush. dark greyish beak greyish uppers and wings rusty breast 5-6" below is a terrible picture, but it's the only one I managed to get. the only thing I can think that it might be is an eastern bluebird, although it seemed a little too small to...
  21. Merg

    Sparrow Help (I should know this one)

    I know that this has to be in either Sibley's or Peterson's...but for the life of me I can't find it, and I'm drawing a blank on its ID... Help. You're looking at the back end of the bird here...
  22. Merg

    Unknown Sparrow

    Unknown New England Sparrow Help, please. Seen in a bush by the edge of a pond in Brookline, MA. Solitary, as far as I could tell. Thanks in advance.
  23. Merg

    Birding Day of a Lifetime!!

    Hooked up with a local supply store to go on one of their hosted "walks" yesterday. First time going out birding with others (and there were 15 or so people, it was a good-sized group), so I was interested in what we'd end up finding. I only had 3 hours to stay with them, but they were setting...
  24. Merg

    FOUR Lifers! Three Uncommon or Rare!

    Was going to go to my usual patch, but my wife convinced me to go somewhere new because she was tired of "seeing the same scenery"...so I (begrudgingly) went somewhere I hadn't birded yet. Gloucester, MA. I had a spot in mind, but on the way there I saw a small group of folks with a couple of...
  25. Merg

    Best all around bins for <$200?

    Looking for the best pair of bins that $200USD (£103) can buy. That's not an absolute limit, but I don't want to go much over that. Current pair - Nikon Travelite V - 9x25 |8(| ...if you can make a convincing case to spend more than that, I might bite...
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