A pair of new binoculars in hand (Swarovski SLC 10x42 roof prism), and
nothing but Common Mynas to look at!! So, on the way home I detoured by
Yarra Bend (urban bushland park on Yarra River near Kew and Fairfield in
Melbourne). Birds like Willie Wagtail, Bell Miner and Dusky Moorhen
looked like new species in the sparkling clarity of the Swarovskis.
Overhead, a male Darter banked to land on the Yarra. As he turned in
the sun, first the shimmering iridescence of his plumage impressed, and
then turbulence over the upperwing ruffled some of the coverts (count
them). How did I manage with the Bushnell Natureview (10x42 porro
prism) binoculars all those years? Now the details of individual
feathers, colour, vibrassae around the bill, leg scalation, band
numbers, etc. all become relevant, because I can see them properly at
last.
Forgive the rhetoric and platitudes - I'm just gobsmacked with the
brilliance of these 'bins after my first foray into the field with them.
Victorian Twitchathon-ers look out in 2000. The Common
Driving-Petrolheads team is now armed with 3 of these secret weapons
(plus a Carl Zeiss/Jena and a Gerber) .....
L.
PS: I don't hold shares in the Swarovski company, but those who do will
be doing OK from all the converts in birding around the world.
--
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LAWRIE CONOLE
3 Gezireh Street, Pascoe Vale South
Victoria 3044 AUSTRALIA. 37°44'27"S 144°56'17"E
Phone (03) 9354 2484; Mobile (0419) 588 993
E-mail: <>
My home page: http://www.users.bigpond.com/ocoineoil/
Twitchathon: http://www.users.bigpond.com/ocoineoil/sections/cdph.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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