Long time ago, birdwatchers were the people who left behind all the technologies and communed with nature, spending time observing and learning. But now most of them look like electronic stores when you meet them in the woods. Except birding binoculars, they also carry one or more digital cameras, i-pods, laser pointers, and much more. Professional alerting services, already popular in the United Kingdom and springing up in the U.S., allow hard-core hobbyists to receive notices of local sightings on their cell phones or BlackBerrys. Some of them even use microphones to record the sounds of birds.
It's become such a high-tech with so many people carrying so much equipment. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 46 million Americans observed, fed or photographed birds in 2001 (the most recent year for which it has data), and they spent $6.01 billion on binoculars, cameras, film, field guides and other stuff.

Last night I went out, and what I saw was gorgeous. Sky amazes me every time I look at it. I didn't take my binoculars, but it didn't prevent me from enjoying the night and the sky. I saw a cluster of small stars overhead. I think it was the star cluster Pleiades, which is also called "Seven Sisters". On my opinion this is one of the finest and most famous in the heavens. If you look at it without astronomical binoculars, most likely you'll be able to see only about six stars. But with observation binoculars up to 80 stars can be counted!!!
If you look closely, you'll be able to find it too, good luck!

And enjoy the sky!

Do you like locating celestial objects on the sky with your observation binoculars? Do you remember the total eclipse of the moon in October 2004? If you didn't have a chance to see it then, now it's your time! This Saturday we'll be treated again to one of the nature's rare celestial events.
When the moon rises on Saturday, it'll be already eclipsed in Earth's shadow. If you want to see the totality, it'll start at 5:44 PM. It's interesting, but the shadow is composed of two cone shaped components. I don't know all the details about this event, but read that the eclipse of the moon can only occur, when the moon is full, and only if it passes through a portion of some Earth’s shadow. It's great to watch a lunar eclipse with a pair of binoculars!
Apart from this event you may also have fun locating a day-old moon. Use your astronomical binoculars to scan the western horizon after the sunset (about 45 minutes after). You'll be able to see a hair-thin lighted portion of the moon.
Good luck in your search! Enjoy the sky!

The new MINOX HG 8x33 binoculars were recently introduced by MINOX. This Minox Binocular is the perfect answer for those who want the outstanding features offered by the first four HG models but with less size and weight. Birdwatchers, hunters, or anyone who enjoys observing nature, will find the HG 8x33 a welcome companion. MINOX engineers developed a very effective new lens coating, with up to 21 layers on the glass surface to modify the various wavelengths of visible light. Another performance-enhancing feature is the innovative quick close-focus capability. Other key features include lockable diopter ring and high-tech optical glass, plus flip-up eye-cups, which allow you to adjust the eye relief.

I hope you love whales as much as I do, so today we'll virtually travel to San Diego in order to enjoy watching them through binoculars.

If you're in San Diego in the winter, you need to see the gray whales. In the winter you can see them near the shore as the pass by on the way to Mexico. The best time to come to San Diego to watch whales is December-February, when they're heading south. You can also see them cruising by in spring, on the way back north, but they tend to be a little farther out.

So, when you are here, and you want to see whales, you have two options: watch from the shore or go out on a boat. For shore watching, La Jolla or Point Loma would probably be the best options. Both of them are peninsulas with high cliffs to watch from. Bring your binoculars with you, and scan for blows of breath coming up when the whales surface. After you see the first blow, keep following for more with your compact observation binoculars.

Fishing and boat trip companies send out whale watching boaters in the winter. If you don't see whales, then you go back for free, so the companies try pretty hard. On your way to whales you will definitely see lots of dolphins, giant sunfish, seals, sea lions, and a view of the California coast from offshore. Bring your best binoculars, and remember that it's always cold, so bring a something warm to wear too.

Yesterday I read some info about what to look for in the night sky, so I wanted to share with you.
As winter is going away, hurry and take a look at the wonderful winter constellation - Taurus (the Bull). It is in our southern sky on midwinter evenings. Taurus contains two magnificent star clusters, and is beautifully seen naked-eye as well as with astronomical binoculars. It's biggest and brightest star is Aldebaran. If you don't know how this star looks, then it's very easy to find. Look for a copper-colored star in the way between the horizon and overhead. Aldebaran is sometimes called the eye of the Bull. The constellation Taurus contains two notable star clusters: the Pleiades and the Hyades. For the Pleiades look to the upper right of Aldebaran. Only about six or more stars are seen with the naked eye. But for a real treat, look at Pleiades with your binoculars, then you'll be able to see about 100 of them. Even a small pair of binoculars, such as Oberwerk 8x42mm Waterproof Binoculars Compact, provides perfect views of this cluster. The Hyades is much bigger than Pleiades, contains more than 400 stars and is very easy to find. The Hyades is V-shaped collection of stars.
Enjoy the Taurus and clear sky to you!

It starts to get warmer, so yesterday I decided to get together all of my courage and go out with my astronomical binoculars to look at the night sky. I can tell you, it was amazing! It was a clear, calm and gorgeous night. Star parties are the best and coolest things I've ever seen! It turned out that that night was perfect for viewing stars, planets and star clusters. There were some other people around with telescopes and binoculars. And some of them even brought kids out too, and were helping them out with looking through their observation binoculars. I was overwhelmed with all that I saw and everything I've learned about. I've definitely decided to make it as my hobby, and will attend this "star party" as often as I can.

Clear skies to you!

My husband and I have recently moved from Colorado, where we've lived for quite a long time. But we still have friends there, who we love and trust. So, one of them called us yesterday and told us a very interesting story-fact about a bold eagle.
So, this took place at Tom Watson Park, Boulder, Colorado. A small cluster of birdwatchers stood motionless, with their binoculars raised, gazing at the tree. Overhead them was a young bald eagle, he was circling around his admirers and enjoying his freedom.
Our friend is not a professional birdwatcher, it was only our hobby every time when we went hiking with him, plus he forgot his birding binoculars, so wasn't able to see the eagle very clearly. But most likely for a trained eye of a veteran birdwatcher, that wouldn't be a problem.
FYI: Friday through Monday, birdwatchers across America will be identifying millions of birds everywhere from backyard feeders to wildlife refuges, parking lots and strip-mall roofs.

So, come and join us!

Well, speaking about the sky, yesterday early in the morning southeastern's sky at the beginning of twilligh Mars and Moon were very close to each other. I seemed that they were hugging or even kissing. Mars was only a few degrees to the left of the moon. And now they are visible very low in the east before dawn.
I'm sure that everyone loves Mars, but since 2003 it has been getting farther from Earth. I can secrectly tell you that at this Christmas Eve will bring Mars closest and brightest for the whole 2007 year. So, between now and Christmas time, Mars will be brightening slowly and rising earlier each day.
If you didn't have a chance to see it this early in the morning, then I'm sure you'll be much satisfied with observing and finding Jupiter on the night sky. This morning Jupiter's Galilean moons could be seen. The view of Jupiter's moons through a good pair of observation binoculars is comparable to what Galileo saw when he discovered them in 1609. Though he was observing with the help of a telescope at that time, but telescope magnification was about 20 times, but the optics in the modern pair of binoculars are of a much higher quality.
So, enjoy the sky and your binocular optics!

In LOMBARD, Illinois bird watchers are still talking about a recent rare sighting of a snowy owl in suburban Lombard.
I don’t know if you heard, or maybe even saw this rare thing in the Chicago suburb, Lombard. Some times you could even clearly see it with bear eyes, but to say you the truth, birding binoculars won’t hurt. For example, with Bushnell NatureView Binoculars you will be able to witness this beauty in its natural state.

Snowy owl usually prefers to stay in northern Canada, Russia or Greenland. They eat rodents, but when the food is short, they most likely will migrate to different places, as did this one. Snow owls have migrated as far as you can imagine: Alabama and Illinois. This snow owl settled up over the apartment building overlooking the Yorktown Center Mall. And it hung around for a long time, enough for birders to hear it and rush to see it with their binoculars.
It seems that this owl had moved on, but we’re hoping to see more novelties this year.

Well… I don’t really like opera, not that I don’t like the performing art as a kind, it’s just I don’t understand what they sing … I know that it's Italian, but I don't really understand it. That’s why I don’t feel comfortable sitting there and listening to nothing… But it's just my personal opinion. There are many of you outthere who just loves opera.
But anyways, every now and then I go to opera, because some of my friends are huge opera fans…
So, have you ever been to the opera house and wished you could see things just a bit better? Last time I went I found myself wishing I had a pair of compact binoculars or opera glasses to get closer to the action. The most interesting thing though, is that last time I had used theatre binoculars, it seemed as if I could even hear a lot better also. Must be something to do with a more cohesive experience and correleation between what one is seeing and hearing. Have you ever experienced it?

For a long time binoculars have been actively used by astronomers, hunters, fishermen, boaters, sport fans, and travelers. If you are a bird watcher, you would know how to train someone on using birding binoculars and virtual techniques for their use. I'm a new in this hobby, so I understand that choosing a pair of bird watching binoculars may be difficult to someone who is completely not experienced in bird watching.
Many observation binoculars are fully multi-coated so they probably will not be able to see through both sides of most binoculars. They are not hard to learn how to use.
You can decide which type of optical system meets your needs with the help of an article "How to choose a binocular for birding".
A very nice pair of binoculars costs less than a classy telescope. So, take your time, choose the one you like and enjoy observing the life around you!

Last night I was observing the sky with my astronomical binoculars, and in the west-southwest I notices a very bright star, which was about ten times brighter than any of the rest. I didn't know what it was, so after I was finished with watching and got home, I checked my astronomy books, and it turned out that it might be Venus.
As for other planets, today Mercury is supposed to reach its highest, when it will be about halfway between the horizon and Venus. It'll happen today around 6:30 pm.
Most of these planets you'd be able to see with your naked eyes (though binoculars help a lot too), but it doesn't work with Uranus. This planet is beyond the naked-eye limit in brightness, so you'll definitely need observation binoculars or a small telescope to be able to see it.
While you have your binoculars out, don't miss the wonderful and very bright constellation Orion.

Good luck to you and clear skies!

Recently I've been given new astronomical binoculars for my birthday. I was so excited, happy and thankful, that I decided to challenge myself. I want to observe all the planets I can with nothing more than my Meade Travel View 10x50 Binoculars. Most of the planets, such as Jupiter, Mars, Saturn and Venus will be very easy to observe. Though I can't say the same about Mercury, this one will be tricky enough to observe.
If you are a beginner astronomer or you simply enjoy looking at planets and stars, this challenge will be very helpful for you as well. It will allow you to learn more about your binoculars and get to know sky.
And if you ask my advice, I would strongly recommend you this way of leaning!

Good luck and clear sky to you, colleagues!

Only a few years ago, a hiker needed nothing more than a map, a tent and a campfire for that perfect getaway. But since that time many things have changed. Today's great outdoors traveler needs to feel safe and comfortable, but also the second most important thing is to be equipped with compact observation binocular and if possible - a digital camera. There is a very famous Chinese saying that states, that the palest ink is much better than the best memory. It's the same with observation binoculars and digital cameras, it's better to record something, because you can't fully rely on your memory. A digital binocular with camera might be very nice and useful for the backpacker's application too. So, there is a huge choice on the market right now, you just need to remember, that before going for a hike, make sure you have everything you need.

I wish you good weather for your hikes!

This what I saw with the help of my favorite Image Stabilized Binoculars. It isn’t always convenient to use a tripod. With Image Stabilization binocular models there’s no need for additional equipment.
Mercury is climbing from the sunset horizon, to the lower right of Venus. It's getting higher and easier to observe every day. By the end of this month it will be prominent enough.
Venus shines during evening twilight in the west-southwest, and it becomes an increasingly easy-to-spot object in the dusk.
Mars can be seen very far to the left of bright Jupiter in early dawn.
Jupiter for now is the brightest "star" before and during dawn.
Saturn rises closer to the end of twilight and is up in the east by 10 p.m.
Uranus located in the upper left of Venus gets low in the southwest after dusk.
Neptune is lost in the sunset.
Pluto is rarely emerging from the dawn glow. So, get your favorite binocular.

Astronomers say that on Feb. 7 there will be the greates elongation moment for Mercury. It will be located 18 degrees from the sun and can be seen either with your astronomical binoculars like Galileo Astro Binoculars G-1570 very close to Venus, only eight degrees away. If you haven’t yet seen Mercury, this will be the best opportunity and perfect time for your start. Or you can take your trusty digital binoculars, wait for sunset, and as soon as you see the brightest object near the sunset, look to west for the fainter. And if you find one, it’ll be Mercury.

Because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, it’s very hard to observe it with the eye or even with observation binoculars. This event of the greatest Mercury elongation has no physical significance but it gives us the opportunity to study its surface features.

Last night right after the sunset I was looking at the sky with my astronomical Celestron binoculars, and noticed something unusual. There a was a star, a very bright one, which I haven’t seen before, and which appeared very suddenly. First I thought it was a star, when I came home and started learning about it and reading books. I realized that it’s might be a comet, not a star… And most likely it’s Venus. So, here’s what I’ve learnt:
Venus is our nearest neighbour in space apart from the moon, about the same size as Earth. At times, our orbits around the sun bring us close to each other, that’s why we see so a so bright star on the sky. As the weeks go by we’ll see this "new star" rise higher and higher in the sky after sunset. It will also become even brighter, mostly because it is getting closer to us as it chases us in our own orbit around the sun.
In the late May it will be as high in our night sky as it ever gets because it reaches a position where it is at its maximum apparent distance from the sun. After this point Venus will start moving back towards the sun, sinking quite quickly lower and lower until, by late July.
So, go out after the sunset today, take a pair of your binoculars and explore the sky, Venus and other planets, comets and constellation. Who knows, you might discover a new planet, or a star… And it’ll be called after you, isn’t that amazing? So, don’t sit at home watching TV, go out and start adventures…. Good luck and clear skies to you!!!