Clean Your Binoculars

Binoculars need cleaning? Do it! Don't get stuck having to clean that ugly spot of your lens while a beautiful bird passes by. A plain lens cloth will do okay but to get better quality results I suggest a LensPen. ( Pictured above.) You can pick one up at a birding store or a camera store for about five bucks. They are extremely easy to use and do a better cleaning job then regular lens cloths. They have two ends, one is just a brush to take off dust, dirt, and sand, (the brush is shown above) and the other is a plunger type brush that is covered with graphite to take off big smudges and finger prints. It sounds silly but cleaning your binoculars won't just let you see a pretty bird but it will clear up the image to make the experience that much more enjoyable.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Pelicans at Hilton Head Beach

Sam Brunson and I did some casual birding at Hilton Head Island, GA. As we did so, we came across a group of Brown Pelicans that were doing some intense fishing right off the shoreline. I was able to get a few flight shots of them. Very cool birds!

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge, Woody Pond

Woody Pond is a great place to find Egrets, Herons of every kind, and Woodstorks. I went there this week and was able to capture some action that was going on at Woody Pond especially since it is the prime breeding time for the Egrets, Herons and Woodstorks. I will post pictures of the nests in my next post. Hope you enjoy this prospect of what goes on at Woody Pond.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Tree Swallow

This picture was taken during the Youth Birding Competition while we were at the Altamaha River Delta looking for birds. We found this very oddly behaving Tree Swallow that was not scared of us at all. I assume he had his nest somewhere near. I couldn't think of any other good reasons for him to behave like he did, after all it was during mating season. Swallows have always been a cool type of bird to watch and this one did not disappoint.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Colorado Trip

I am very excited to announce that I am going on a trip to Colorado Springs! I will definitely come back with lots of pictures and hopefully some good video.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Baby Carolina Wrens

Sorry this post is late but both our staff members have been busy lately. Here are two photos of the baby Wrens. They are taken about a week apart so you can see the difference between their featherless state, ( just hatched) and their newer state. They are expected to fledge soon so we will post more photos then. Yes this is in a shoe! For some reason the Wrens thought an old boot would be a good place to nest.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Nesting Nuthatches

This is a Brown Headed Nuthatch that is currently nesting in a house we set up. The house is specifically designed for Nuthatch's because the hole to enter it is to small for any other bird. I am not sure how many babies there are but they have hatched! I can't get any photos though because there is no way to open it. I will post some pictures tomorrow of some baby Carolina Wrens.

The Two Birders

John Mark Simmons and Sam Brunson

Rare Bird Alert

I birded at the Georgia State Botanical Garden today and got five life birds. ( Birds that you have never seen before.) Acadian Flycatcher, ( pictured above) Blackpoll Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Swainsons Thrush, and Spotted Sandpiper. I know the picture is not amazing quality but it was as good as I could get for the conditions I was in.

-TB

New Equipment

We will be getting some new photography equipment soon. So we hope to get better photos and more photos of rarities. We might be doing some video work also so stay tuned and we hope you enjoy!

-TB