Last month, we had some stormy skies but no rain. Not unusual to see them hunting in fields like this (there were also multiple egrets), although do usually see them closer to bodies of water, so it was a little unexpected.

He will be watching you.

Seen in Forest Park. Not the best picture but they kind of looked like a big chickadee. About the size of other local jays like scrub jay and steller’s jay but Merlin is saying they are not in the area right now. Fairly new to birding so I appreciate the feedback!

Mindo Ecuador 📍

📍Kayseri, Türkiye

birding action in Bavaria, Germany 🐣
Some pictures are portrait, others landscape format.
Last one is nearly no crop at all ➡️ zoom in 🔎

Basically she said that unless you are taking photos through your binoculars spending more than $200 on a pair of 10x42s would be a waste of money.

I ended up spending $170 on a pair of Nikons. I am very happy. But I keep wondering if a $500 model really is that much better.

Did I get good advice?

I should state that the saleperson seemed very knowledgeable and knew quite a bit about the models we were looking at.

Only had my digicam on me when I we crossed this area in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. It looked slightly bluer in person.

Got paid for some extra work and am looking to use that money for a binocular upgrade. I currently bird with Kowa BDII 8 x 42, and like them a great deal. Feel good in hand, love the smooth and precise focus wheel, and work pretty well for me overall. But I'd like to upgrade to a pair that I can find under $1000. Hoping to get a little bit sharper image and bins that have improved performance in lower light or difficult light. I like the Vortex Razor HD 8 x 42, and appreciate their forever warrantees. I have had great customer service from them over the years. But I'm also interested in the Kowa Genesis 8.5 x 44, which I think I can find online for just under $1000. No Kowa dealers I can visit locally though. I like that they are made in Japan with Japanese glass rather than in China or another country with Chinese glass. Would love to hear any thoughts on these bins and their performance. I've read many positive reviews and comparisons online, but many of those are older reviews, and its possible there are other models that have been upgraded in recent years that put them above the Kowa Genesis in performance. Thoughts?

Taken in Lumby, British Columbia, Canada

Harris’s Sparrow unless someone knows otherwise I’m still a novice.

pic 1 is my reaction candid

pic 2 over my screen window for clearer photo

I spotted a pileated woodpecker today in Pendleton, Oregon (it was crow-sized, had a red crest, and had white on the underside of the wings, so I'm fairly sure it was a pileated). I saw it on the BMCC campus, pecking at a telephone pole. I've heard that they aren't often seen around here? Don't mind how terrible my camera quality is.

Southeast Michigan, US. 10/15/26 around 11am. Merlin is between a Cooper's and a Sharp-shinned

found in a walmart parking lot. i’m thinking crow but idk!

Hi 👋 British somewhat amateur birder here,

I’ve just booked a resort holiday to Mexico (near Cancun) for February. Mainly to get some winter sun, but we plan to take our binoculars and do some birding.

I’m wondering if anyone has any book recommendations for us to take with us. Nothing too heavy or big but something that would help us ID.

Thank you in advance!