BINOCULARS
Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars
Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars
These Celestron binoculars are a solid first investment for people wanting to get into birding. Typically <$150, these easy-to-use binoculars are great for beginners while still offering views rivaling those of more expensive binoculars, at a price to fit your budget.
Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 8x42
Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon's PROSTAFF series is by far my favorite brand of binoculars. The image is clean and bright, and includes multicoated optics, a wide field of view, long eye relief, and waterproof/fogproof performance. It is part of their mid-tier series and a great budget friendly option without losing all the quality.
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Binocular
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Binocular
Nikon's Monarch series is just a step down from their top tier EDG series. It brings all the best features of the PROSTAFF series and adds Nikon’s ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, which virtually eliminates common distortion, chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
BIRD FIELD GUIDES
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
This is my all time favorite field guide. It separates birds by families and then highlights and explains unique markings, behaviors and maps the common locations of each species. I really like the use of bird photos because I think it gives a better representation of the species while trying to identify a bird.
The Sibley Guide to Birds
The Sibley guide is one of the best overall bird books to have access to. The book size is a little hefty to carry in the field (it can be done, I've done it!) but it's a perfect reference guide to go back to while getting back from the field. David Sibley is an excellent artist and his rendition of each bird species is unparalleled.
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
The Peterson Field Guide was completely revolutionary to the world of birding. Roger Tory Peterson brought bird identification from laboratories to households. It was the first birding field guide that I ever owned!
BIRD FIELD GUIDES
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
This is my all time favorite field guide. It separates birds by families and then highlights and explains unique markings, behaviors and maps the common locations of each species. I really like the use of bird photos because I think it gives a better representation of the species while trying to identify a bird.
The Sibley Guide to Birds
The Sibley guide is one of the best overall bird books to have access to. The book size is a little hefty to carry in the field (it can be done, I've done it!) but it's a perfect reference guide to go back to while getting back from the field. David Sibley is an excellent artist and his rendition of each bird species is unparalleled.
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
The Peterson Field Guide was completely revolutionary to the world of birding. Roger Tory Peterson brought bird identification from laboratories to households. It was the first birding field guide that I ever owned!