In Need of a Great Scope

A great scope at an affordable price that has the features to ensure years of enjoyment in the field, that’s the ticket.  Here it is, the Vortex Viper 15-45x65 Spotting Scope.

Most of us are looking for performance, equipment that we can trust to do the job at a reasonable price.  And we want it all to be backed by a company true to their word.  Such a deal exist in this scope.

Vortex Viper 15-45x65 Spotting Scope

A good sighting at long range is attainable with this scope.  It boasts XR fully multi-coated lenses for increase light transmission and XD glass for extra low dispersion.  Net effect: maximum brightness and clear images.  The exterior lenses are specially coated with Armor Tek protecting them from dirt, oil and scratches.  This scope is purged with argon gas guaranteeing superior water and fog proofing.

All Vortex Optics products are backed by a warranty that is second to none.  This warranty is unconditional and unlimited—that’s a strong commitment to providing a quality product to all.

Two for the Price of One

 

I found these two birds at the Lake Waco Wetlands where they have built a couple of new blinds that were designed by the Central Texas Audubon Society.  There cannot be enough said in appreciation of wetlands and the good people and entities that care for them.  My hats off to the good people of the City of Waco for building these blinds.

I spied this Little Blue in eclipse through my binoculars but did not have a scope with me that day.  However, I was able to take this picture with my camera.  I am fascinated by the Little Blues in eclipse and that was the subject of the photograph I struck.  It was only upon processing the photograph that I realized I had captured the second bird in the lower right hand corner.  So, two for the price of one.

The Blinds at Lake Waco Wetlands

Rio Grande Valley

A longtime friend and I visited the Rio Grande Valley this past weekend. We began our trip early Friday morning in hopes of reaching the Brownsville area in six or seven hours. The weekend found us running a course that took us from Boca Chica to Falcon Dam.

We recorded 104 species of birds that began with White Ibis, Green Herons and a Roseated Spoonbill. We picked up Great Kiskadee and Golden Fronted Woodpeckers along the way. At Sabal Palm, we found the Masked Duck in full adult male plumage, Yellow Green Vireos, and Buff Bellied Hummingbirds. A Ruddy Turnstone and Black Terns were discovered at Boca Chica.

We sighted Plain Chachalaca, Bronzed Cowbirds, Hooded, Altamira and Audubon’s Orioles.  Green Parakeets, Red Crowned and Yellow headed Parrots were found in Brownsville.  Everywhere we heard the call of the White Tipped Dove—like someone blowing across a pop bottle--and sighted it at the Fonterra Audubon Center.



By sunrise on Sunday we were on the banks of the Rio Grande at Salineno. Within an hour or so we had sightings of two big Ringed Kingfishers, the small Green Kingfisher and two wild Muscovy Ducks. Before leaving we spotted an Osprey high overhead. Everyone needs to experience a morning at this location just listening to the dawn chorus.

As we turned toward home, we made one more effort on the road to the Santa Margarita Ranch where we found a male Verdin and a Black Throated Sparrow.

Many, many people say summer is not good for birding. Such a trip as this is evidence to the contrary.

Red, White & Blue

From the Razor



Vortex 8x42 Razor HD Binocular



 To the Crossfire

Vortex 8x42 Crossfire Binocular

 Enjoy

The Red

The White

 And

The Blue

Photograghs of Birds Courtesy of Bill Ravenscroft