Brilliant Arwen!!
I know what i'll be making soon :)
Cheers
Dave
On 19/05/2009, at 1:39 PM, Arwen B. Ximenes wrote:
Now a guide like that would be priceless - after all, childhood lasts
a while!
The best suggestion I have is not to carry the child - get someone
else to do it, and I'm lucky as my hubby is happy do that :)
Alternatively, if the child is old enough, construct their own bins
for them out of two toilet rolls stuck together with tape - you can
finger knit a colourful string strap out of wool or whatever you fancy
and get them to paint the rolls. Easy to make another set if they get
squashed. My son was satisfied with these up until relatively recently
- of course there's no magnification, but they can learn to aim and
still see something through them. Big advantage is they're light and
they keep them busy for a bit - and they feel like they're
birdwatchers too. What to do when they get past that - well, I have
bought a small pair for him but the field of view is too small and he
doesn't really manage to get anything in them (have to focus them as
well). Does anyone know of light ones that are good for kids and give
them a reasonable sized field? I imagine they don't exist.
Arwen
.........................................
Arwen Blackwood Ximenes
Lawson, Blue Mountains, NSW
> From:
> To:
> CC: ; ;
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 09:38:04 +1000
> Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] RFI Mudgee NSW - birding and accommodation
>
> The sounds like a good spot, though the water jets sound like
they'd make one protective of one's binoculars, etc.
>
> Regarding the child on your back, I recall trying to look at
something once with my son on my shoulders. Apart from the fact that
as soon as I let go of his legs to hold the binoculars he would grip
onto my head with his fingers in my eyes, he continually swung his
legs. No amount of bracing can prevent the swaying that causes in the
field of view, probably good pelagic training.
>
> Peter Shute
>
>
> David Stowe wrote:
> > What a brilliant idea Peter!
> > For example, the famous Cairns Esplanade has a fantastic kids
> > playground half way along it called Muddys. Heaps of different play
> > equipment including some water based areas for cooling down. Lots
of
> > jets coming out of the ground at different heights and intervals.
> > There is also a cafe (ice cream!!), but most importantly the birds
> > are just outside plus things like Varied Honeyeaters, Figbirds,
> > Helmeted Friarbirds flying around the trees above you. It is also
> > very shady.
> >
> > As for steadying your binoculars with a child on your back....I
don't
> > think it's entirely possible!! I try by wearing a cap and holding
the
> > brim of the cap with a couple of fingers as well as the binoculars.
> > This gives quite a bit of extra stability against your head.
> > I must admit that i was able to see and photograph Thick-billed
> > Grasswren with my 18mth old daughter on my back! Her interpreted
> > squeals of "keep moving Daddy" didn't help with a bird like that
> > though :)
> >
> > Cheers
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > On 18/05/2009, at 11:09 PM, Peter Shute wrote:
> >
> > Sounds useful, but what I meant was a guide for how to go birding
> > with kids. E.g. the best playgrounds for birding, birding locations
> > within walking distance of amusement parks, etc. It might have tips
> > on how to hide your optics from the kids in a small cabin, how to
> > steady your binoculars with a small child on your back, what to do
> > when your kids throw rocks in a hide, etc.
> >
> > The normal books don't cover these things. Do you know I saw my
first
> > gannets from a monkey bar?
> >
> > Peter Shute
> >
> > ________________________________________
> > From: Paul Doyle
> > Sent: Monday, 18 May 2009 7:13 PM
> > To: Peter Shute; ;
> > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] RFI Mudgee NSW - birding and
accommodation
> >
> > Someone already has.
> > Lloyd Nielsen's Birding Australia: A guide for Birders, is sort of
> > combination of reference book and resource guide to other sources
of
> > information.
> > It covers the whole country divided into regions and has all
sorts of
> > useful
> > info: local and regional bird books guide and other info,
> > accommodation, dining, tourist site, other useful websites,
daylight
> > times at different locations and different times year,
accommodation
> > guide, suggested itineraries in all areas, outback safety and
> > travelling tips etc. etc.
> > It's self-published and can be found at
www.birdingaustrlia.com.au I
> > have no connection with the author: just impressed wit the amount
of
> > info in there.
> >
> > Paul.
> >
|
