13 September 07
The Use of a Monocular
Not many birders use monoculars, for good reason. The three-dimensionality of binoculars gives a much better look at a bird and a telescope gives much better looks from afar.
But as I mentioned in Bird by Bird, a monocular is a great sketching tool, one I’ve used already quite a bit in my daily bird sketches.
I wondered who, though, mostly buys monoculars. Oh, said the extraordinarily attentive salesperson at that fantasy palace of consumerism, B&H, on Friday. Antiques people and truckers.
?
Antiques people so they can look through the cordons on the cordoned-off Chippendales; truckers, so they can read road signs without taking their eyes off the road.
I’ll be interested to see if I ever notice monocular around birders in the next few years. I may be alone.
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I’ve been swearing for the last six months at least that I’m gonna buy a monocular to wear on a lanyard around my neck at all times.
OK, at all times that I’m clothed.
There’s always some damned bird (or bug ot plant or indecipherable movement) juuuust a bit out of naked-eye range. Possibly this is part of getting old. But if I can find the right prosthetic, I’ll be pleased to use it.
I’m thinking we might trek up to Mendocino soon; I really have to try optics on before buying.