RainyDayGiftGuide 2023 : For Birders
Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!!!
As in previous years, we have put together some RainyDay-tastic Gift Guides for the 2023 holiday, full of suggestions for our readers.
As with every one of our Guides, each item in this year’s guide is something we have touched, reviewed, and think is worthy.
We hope our suggestions make shopping for those on your “Good” list more enjoyable this holiday season 🙂
Birding
Birding—yes, birding—got popular during the pandemic. Maybe because it required no special training, pretty much anyone could participate, and it encouraged people to get outside but not congregate. It was the perfect outdoor activity for a quarantine-weary-but-COVID-leery public.
While we expected to survive the Covid-apocalypse, we didn’t expect our birding interest to continue post-pandemic, but it did! We continued with the outings, upped our gear, and generally dove into all things bird-related.
Equipment
Technically speaking, one does not NEED equipment for birding, but a good pair of binoculars and a decent spotting scope or telephoto lens can add to the enjoyment of the pursuit at all levels of interest/activity. We have put together a list of the gear that we have used and found helpful:
- Fujifilm 10×32 Phase-coated Waterproof Binoculars: Lightweight, bright, tough
- Vanguard Endeavor Spotting Scope: Sharp, sharp, sharp
Snowman: I’m ready for my closeup! Bird: He does that every year. Penguin: Every. Single. year.
- Nikon body and lenses (disclaimer: New to us is still “new”)
- D850 body: 45M pixel full-frame sensor
- Nikkor 200-500mm lens: Get in close without getting eaten/pecked at by the subject
- LensCoat camo cover: Hide in plain sight
Snowman: If you take a picture of me with this thing you’ll be able to see my nose hairs. Bird: Why would anyone want to see your nose hairs? Snowman: Because technology!
- Vanguard Carbon Fiber Tripod and Video Head: Strong, feather light, maneuverable
Snowman: This thing is so light I can lift it with a single stick arm! Bird: This thing is so light I can grip it with my adorable claws and fly away with it! Penguin: My foot is stuck.
Clothing
Getting to where the birds are can be as simple as stepping out to the backyard or as challenging as flying to the Galápagos. In either case, you want clothing and footwear that is comfortable, versatile, and rugged. We have worn everything which we are recommending here…and they are all that!
- GRAPHENE-X Reversible Sweatpants: Retains heat on one side, releases heat on the other, tough as nails
Bird: I bet I could hide myself in that zippered pocket and be whisked away to an excellent adventure…
- Mott&Bow Premium Denim Jeans: Amazing comfort, craftsmanship, and value
- Wool & Prince’s Merino wool: Less washing, fewer wrinkles, and more comfort
Snowman: I high-hosey the grey pants! Bird: No I high-hosey the grey pants, they match my wing tone. Penguin: Does that mean I get both shirts? Snowman and Bird: NO.
- Oboz Bridger Mid Hiking Boots: Support, durability and trail performance
Snowman: Oh if I only had feet, I’d stick them in these. Bird: Dude, your evolutionary process has already ended.
Books
- Peregrine Spring: A master falconer’s extraordinary life with birds of prey
Snowman: We do not talk about the falcon. Bird: We do not talk about the falcon. Penguin: We are falcon fodder. Snowman and Bird: WE SAID WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE FALCON!
- Bringing Back The Birds: Exploring migration and preserving birdscapes throughout the Americas
- Ornithographies: A balance between art and science…making visible the invisible
Bird: That’s my uncle Norris on the cover. Snowman: You lie. Bird: No I don’t. Snowman: Then what’s on the other cover? Bird: His flight path. Snowman: You lie. Bird. Nope on a rope, I do not.
- Dumb Birds Field Guides – North America, The World: Perfect for birder and anti-birder alike
Bird: You will not find me in these books, for I am not stoopid.
- RockyNook Camera Guides – Mastering the Nikon D850, Pocket Guide: Explore every button on the D850 in detail, or just do a quick review
Snowman: Oo, take a picture of me! Take a picture of meeeee! Penguin: No picture of you without me in it; that was the deal we made.
Misc
- Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Journal: Handsome and sturdy blank journal
Snowman: This is one neat book! Bird: A place for all travel-related your musings! Penguin: Or your latitudes and longitudes if you are so inclined!
- Quiver pen holders: Never lose your pens again
Snowman: This is MUCH better than jabbing them into your pal Snowman. Bird: a very nice way to always having your pen handy. Penguin: My foot’s stuck.
- Smartphone mounts: Opticron USM-2, NexYZ: connects a smartphone to any eyepiece
Bird: This is a bird-sized merry-go-round. Penguin: No, it’s an individual grape spinner. Snowman: Wrong on both counts: it’s a clever way of getting an absolutely clear shot of me. Meeeee!!!! Bird and Penguin: Give it a rest.
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