Bob Mauritsen wrote:

> 1. When birding with a companion, it would be nice to be able to indicate
> just where in that hillside of brush the bird really is, other than
> by suggesting that it is just above the thick branch, which is just
> left of the dead tree, which is near the rock.
>
> Think how nice it would be if you could push a button which would cause
> a small laser on your binocs to "illuminate" whatever is dead ahead
> in the middle of the viewing field. Your companion's binocs would be
> equipped with another gizmo that would "see" the laser light when he/she
> pushes the button on his binocs. This would allow him to easily scan
> for the "red blotch", in the middle of which would (still) be the bird.

When I went to the ABA convention in North Dakota a couple of years ago,
our packet of materials included a small mirror. People were encouraged
to start using them while birding on sunny days to point out a bird's
location by reflecting a spot of light toward the bird, not directly at
it but in a circle around it. I haven't seen people using them, but I
think this is a good idea, as long as you're careful to not alarm the bird
or injure it with that bright light. Of course, the method is only good
if you're in direct sunlight.

Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794