Bird Hawks

 



Bird Hawks, the term seems redundant.  Yet, it isn’t.  A group of hawks are known to hunt and eat mainly birds, hence the term.  They will also take small mammals.  These are the Accipiters.  They typically have long tails and short, rounded wings, adaptations for hunting in wooded areas.  Their eyesight, as with many hawks, is said to be four to eight times better than humans.

Both Sharp Shined and Cooper’s Hawks will take birds from feeders.  I’ve actually seen this when a Sharpie took a Pine Siskin from my feeder after missing an American Goldfinch. 





Pictured above is a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk.  It behaved exactly as one would expect.  It perched for quite some time surveying the area.  Upon launch it swept quickly toward the ground with but a few wing beats, finally gliding less than a foot off the deck to take its prey, a small rodent.



A Good Entry

Those whose entry into the world of birding or any field where the use of a good binocular is required are often confused by the variety of offerings by the various optic companies no matter from where one hails.  Added to the confusion is all the terminology thrown at you.  So true is this that it’s a wonder that anyone gets started.  Yet, with a little information one can begin a lifelong enjoyable endeavor.

First, don’t be satisfied with just any inexpensive binocular. A good binocular is going to cost some money.  One day, you might want to invest a considerable amount of money in a binocular, but you don’t have to at first.  You should buy all that you can afford, though.

Second, optics have come a long way in the last couple of decades.  Technological advances are evident everywhere. Starting with the type of prism, one good innovation has brought on a number of advantages.  Many binoculars today have roof prisms.  You can tell if a binocular has roof or porro prisms by their shape.  Roof prism binoculars have an “H” shape while porro prism binoculars have an “M” shape.  The H shape has led to a smaller, less bulky design.  A major consequence of using roof prisms is that it allows for internal focusing.  That has led to a greater ability to water- and fog-proof the modern binocular. Lesser expensive models use nitrogen gas to purge the binocular and provide the water and fog-proofing.  More expensive models are using argon gas for this purpose.  Some manufactures are moving exclusively towards argon because of its inert quality.

Third, the type of glass used today has improved the clarity of image.  However, it is the use of coatings that have serve to increase light transmission and lessening of aberrations. One should seek a binocular that is fully multi-coated.  That means that all air to glass surfaces are coated.

Fourth, the material the casings and barrels are constructed have improved as well.  Today’s binoculars use much lighter and stronger materials than our grandfathers’ and fathers’.  Light-weight metals of magnesium and titanium rule the day.  Rubber coating of the barrels and casings add protection and ensure a good grip and feel.

 

The above has been a general edification on today’s improvements and innovations in binoculars.  However, this article began with the hope of addressing what one might suggest as a good entry binocular.   To that end, try the Vortex Crossfire II binocular.  It is inexpensive but of good quality.  It possesses all the qualities written above.  It is a small, light-weight, sturdy roof prism binocular that delivers good clear images through fully, multi-coated lenses.  It comes in 8x or 10x.  The 8x version has a very good field of view—important for anyone learning to use a binocular for the first time.  Field of view is most important in aiding the viewer in finding the object sought.  The people writing reviews on this model speak of the clarity of image and the fairness of its price.

Pine Warbler

This Pine Warbler joins the American Goldfinches and Chipping Sparrows coming to my Finch Flocker these days.  Pine Warblers don't always occupy pine forests but will appear in mixed woodlands as well.  They frequently join other flocks as this one did.  It is one of my favorite species.

Thar Be Gold

 “Thar be gold in them thar hills!”,  So sayeth pirate legend.  Pirates plundered for gold.  The Spanish search for El Dorado, the City of Gold.  Stories abound of buried treasure.  Yet, I stand at my back window, sipping my morning coffee at daybreak, starring at my feeders.  Goldfinches swarm it. 

 

Lincoln and Chipping Sparrows and red Northern Cardinal feed below.  Tufted Titmice and Carolina Chickadee cling to the sunflower feeder.  Red Bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and Orange Crowned Warbler visit the peanut feeder.  Ah, and a Pine warbler joins the ground feeding.  Thar be my gold!