Tomas,

A trip to Seattle Audubon's store will allow you to try out
binoculars recommended for birding, though that's not the route I
went; I have purchased a couple of Swift Ultralite models for around
$200 each (with significant discounts) that I've been very happy
with. There is lots of good information on the internet about
choosing binoculars. Be sure to read it, as you will then be able to
figure out how to balance the various factors (magnification,
subjective lens diameter, eye relief, weight, etc.) against price.

As for cameras, to get something that gives clear photos at realistic
distances, you're either talking a good DSLR ($800 or more) plus a
$1500 or so lens (400mm or longer), or a less expensive
point-and-shoot coupled with a decent spotting scope for digiscoping.
The latter won't get you aesthetically great shots, but will get you
clear identification shots. I guess unless you're really into
photography (which I am), or have a lot of money to burn, I'd advise
you to invest in good binoculars, perhaps a scope (especially if a
lot of your viewing is from a fixed spot like your window), and
forego the camera.

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA

At 07:18 PM 6/25/2009, itomas at onebox.com wrote:
> From my yard in Fall City today, I saw: a peregrine falcon, a
> red-tailed hawk, a young bald eagle, great blue herons, robins,
> spotted towhees, 4 kinds of swallows, western goldfinch, cedar
> waxwings, blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, belted kingfisher,
> house (and other) sparrows, rufous hummingbirds, turkey vultures,
> some kind of flickers, a pileated woodpecker (I think) and many,
> MANY other birds and waterfowl I can't identify because I have so
> little experience with birds AND...I don't have the right
> equipment. What're the best (affordable) binoculars and cameras all
> you experts (and current perts) recommend? I've finally gone out
> and purchased a couple of more, up-to-date, bird books...but if I
> can't see them clearly, I can't see them clearly. I think I've see
> Oregon Juncos and (maybe) a dark-eyed, slate-colored Junco this
> year along with numerous others every day but, aside from my
> chickens, I! 'm at a loss to make certain identification.
> Also...since I've been reading about all the Purple Martins...if I
> just place a proper gourd out there...will they show up?
>Thanks in advance for the advice!
>Tomas Walsh
>Fall City
>itomas at onebox.com