Outdoor Recreation Resources

When it comes to birding, binoculars are one piece of equipment you should not be without. With binoculars you can identify birds easily that would be nothing but a speck on the horizon to the unaided eye. There are a number of different brands and styles that are available on the market ranging from a few dollars to thousands of dollars a pair depending on what you are looking for. Popular brands include Nikon and Swarovski. Nikon produce many quality optic products and their birding binoculars are especially good. Nikon binoculars are excellent for the early morning or dusk - times that most species of birds are quite active.

Binoculars with Magnification and Front Lens Diameter

For beginners, a pair of binoculars such as sold in any hardware store or sporting goods shop should fit the bill nicely. They are not expensive and will prove to be good value for money. Binoculars are rated by two numbers the first of which indicates the power of the magnification and the second number denotes the diameter of the front lens. The best binoculars for birding also provide a wide view so that birds can be viewed in flight, as well as in a static situation.

These details are usually written as, say, 7×23. Thus, these binoculars would have a magnification power of seven and front lens diameter of 23 millimeters. The distance you intend to be away from the birds will determine what magnification power you will need. If you are simply looking around your neighborhood at birds on the ground or in the trees, a lesser magnification will suffice. However, if you plan to head out into a more natural setting, then a stronger magnification will be needed for your birding binoculars.

Changing the Level of Magnification

There are birding binoculars that have a single level of magnification, these are usually the basic style that allow for a small amount of focusing. Then there are the ones which let you alter the level of magnification and the focus of the lens as well. These kinds of binoculars are particularly useful when switching from a close object to one further away and means you will not need a separate set of binoculars.

Make Sure Your Binoculars Are Not Too Heavy

Weight is something which you should always take into account when purchasing binoculars - don’t choose a pair which will be too heavy to comfortably hold for a long period. You don’t want to have to put down your binoculars due to fatigued arms just when you’ve spotted a rare or unusual bird in the field! There are many lightweight models and in choosing one of these the full range of features does not have to be compromised. This is essential if you are planning to carry them around while trekking looking for birds or planning on sitting for long periods of time holding them up.

Not being able to get to where you need to be to do a spot of bird watching because your equipment is too cumbersome will only end up ruining your trip. Some of the features to look for is scratch resistance on the lens, and a way to carry them other than in your hand or around your neck. This will help to not only protect them, but keep them out of the way while you are making your way to your location of choice.

In the world of bass fishing, the amateur and competitive nature of this sport has attracted a rather large following that has only continued to gain popularity over the years. However, using the right fishing lures and bait is the secret of success in this particular sport. The time of day or night you are fishing, the location, and depth and type of water are all things to be taken into consideration when deciding which bass lures and bait to use. To familiarize yourself with the most frequently used and effective lures and bait take a look at the suggestions below.

Jigs

A lot of experienced fishermen and women stand by jigs (heavy baits with one hook) as being the most useful all around baits, especially in clear to slightly murky waters. Jigs catch the attention of inactive fish as well as drawing the fish of deeper waters. When using jigs, remember to give them enough motion to fool the bass into thinking of them as live prey. The ideal temperature of the water for this type of bass fishing lure is less than 60 degrees which makes them perfect for night fishing trips.

Do You Prefer Rubber Worms?

Gone is the bother of dealing with real worms when you choose to use rubber ones which work equally as well. These lures feature a little extra weight, allowing for a slow descent. If you are fortunate, the bass will go for the rubber worm but if the lure makes it to the bottom without any action from the fish then you simply have to reel it back upwards and drop it once more.

Try Spinner Baits

The unusual shape of spinner baits are constructed with an over-sized metal attachment that spins. This lure doesn’t attract fish by appealing to their hunger, but rather through agitation. Spinner baits are year-round lures that especially work well during the spawning season when bass are less desperate to feed.

Crank Baits

Crank baits are used as top water and sinking lures and imitate a frail or injured fish. The noise made by these lures also helps to attract bass. To make the most of these lures, use a slow motion, just as would be made by an injured fish.

Poppers

While poppers are similar to crank baits, they are set aside solely as a top water lure. As they travel across the water, a “popping” sound is emitted. The best time of year to use this lure is during the summertime, where slow reel action is required.

Grubs

Grubs can be especially useful for smallmouth fishing, as they are geared towards larger catches. Grubs are bare jig heads with a soft body made of plastic which is added to a hook. These bass fishing lures are ideal where there is insufficient cover. Clear and deep waters are the greatest locations to use grubs, where white, yellow, salt and pepper, and smoke selections work best.

Tube Baits

When surrounded with inactive fish or angling in clear water, tube jigs target the bass wonderfully. A 6 to 6.5 foot rod with medium action and a spinning reel is best for these shallow water drop baits.

A Vibrating Lure

A tremor is generated by the plastic or metal used in this type of lure when it is taken out of the water. The lure sinks to the bottom and does not get lost in particularly deep waters. A variety of spinner baits is available in this category, including tail spinners, which are weighty, compact baits of metal that use a small spinner as a focus for the bass. Vibrating lures are great for fishing near currents and obstacles such as stumps and grass beds.

If you enjoy watching birds, you might want to know how to identify them, too. It is exciting when you are able to correctly identify a bird while out bird watching. This isn’t as easily done as said, however - it can be very difficult at times. Of course having a good field guide is an excellent idea. However, you’ll also need to glean some knowledge on your own before you can even use the field guide properly. So, if you are a beginner at bird watching, the following are a few tips that can help you more accurately identify birds.

What’s the Bird’s Size?

Take a look at the size of a bird if you don’t know how to identify it. Is it the size of a robin, a small sparrow, a chicken, or even an ostrich? Also, consider whether the bird is plump, on the skinny side, short, or very long. The entire body should be taken into consideration, including the size of the beak, the size of the tail, and the size and shape of the wings as well.

Note the Colors

The colors are another important thing to note when trying to identify birds. As you learn which colors certain birds tend to be you’ll soon learn how to identify some birds by color alone. However, colors can trick you from time to time. The lighting may affect the color that the bird appears. In addition, make sure you note colors on each part of the body as well. For instance are the wings differently colored than the rest of the bird? These details are important in identifying birds. Be certain to look at any markings the bird may have. With a good pair of birding binoculars you can take your time to study the birds up close without scaring them away.

What’s Your Location?

You can also identify birds by location in many cases. Where are you when you bird watch? Are you on the water, inside a large forest? Are you enjoying some backyard birding? Certain types of bird tend to live in certain types of terrain. Is the bird in the water, is it wading or swimming, does it actually climb the tree, how and where does it fly, and does it move its tail? All of these things will help you when you want to identify the birds you watch.

Use Your Ears

Beginners at bird watching need to know to listen to birds too. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening carefully, this can help you spot birds you’d never have noticed otherwise - remember, each bird species has a unique song. It won’t always be a definite identification, especially from a distance, but it can certainly aid in identifying birds.

So, next time you go out bird watching adventure, keep these tips in mind to help you in your efforts. They will help you in identifying the birds you see (and even just hear) out there, giving you a more rewarding and enjoyable outdoor experience.