Watcher Watching

[Mark Bezinque]

This is what happens when A, B and the kids aren't around. A red-tailed hawk swooped down on an unsuspecting seagull in the middle of a busy parking lot, then stayed to eat. The parking lot guy, about 20 feet away, said this is the second time in two weeks this has happened.

[Carol P.]

This is what happens when A, B and the kids aren't around. A red-tailed hawk swooped down on an unsuspecting seagull in the middle of a busy parking lot, then stayed to eat. The parking lot guy, about 20 feet away, said this is the second time in two weeks this has happened.

Interesting Mark.  That's just on the north side of the Times Square bldg, right?  Looks like a juvie RTH.  No red tail yet.  The young ones will take what they can get, even if it's not the safest spot to settle for a meal.
Carol P.

[jeanne]

One of the lot attendants at that lot told us about Jemi hitting the building this summer. 

[Mark Bezinque]

Yes, this is the lot across the street (Exchange); some of his red tail feathers were visible when I walked around behind him. A&B would never allow him nearby if they were around.

[valhalla]

Good catch Mark! 

[Bird Crazy]

  that is not Buddy is it?

[Donna]

that is not Buddy is it?

Buddy is much smarter than that BC! 

[Bird Crazy]

phew! Thanks Donna

BC

[Mark Bezinque]

I'm thinking about getting a good pair of binoculars for my office birdwatching. Does anybody have any suggestions or recommendations? I know I've asked this before, but my forum search skills are not up to finding the earlier help you guys offered.

[Bobbie Ireland]

I'm thinking about getting a good pair of binoculars for my office birdwatching. Does anybody have any suggestions or recommendations? I know I've asked this before, but my forum search skills are not up to finding the earlier help you guys offered.

My bins are a zillion years old, but I still love them! They are roof-prism lenses, which I find better than the "ordinary" ones. They are Minolta. And I think 8x40, which is fine for magnification - less shake than bigger ones. Be sure you find a supplier who will let you take them outside to see how they are. No point just testing them in the store, as this does not give you an idea of how they will be in the field. Let us hear how you get on!

[Shaky]

Hmmm, viewing from the office. Let's see...

stationary location
daylight viewing
subject at great distances (Mercury, Library, First Federal are not very close to Times Square)
indoors with no wind or rain concerns

I'd go with 10x magnification or better. To minimize jitter, either go light-weight (smaller) use a tripod (no good if watching birds on the wing) or use image stabilization.

Canon makes a nice pair of 10x30 binocs that are both light-weight and image stabilized. Not a lot of light gathering capability with those 30mm lenses, but you don't need it for daytime viewing anyway. Price is about $400.

Want more magnification? They make a 12x36 image stabilized pair for around $600. 15x will cost you over $1000.

Note that you should go with something completely different if you want a pair for outdoors where you can get closer to your subject, and conditions could be windy, wet, or poorly lit. For that, a $250 pair of Nikon 8x42 Monarch ATBs can't be beat unless you want to spend a lot more money for a Leica or Zeiss name.

If it were me, I'd buy 2 pairs and put the Nikons in my car and keep the Canons in my desk drawer. The worst part about having only one pair is its never around when you need it.

[Mark Bezinque]

Thanks for the advice!

[Helen in MD]

Mark, whatever you buy, try them first.  Everyone's eyes are different.

[Mark Bezinque]

Just sat in my window and watched a pair of falcons chase a hawk away from the Times Square Building. They really punished that poor hawk, chasing it at least past the Xerox building (no binoculars in the office today).