These are my husband’s grandfather’s (who has passed away) Bushnell binoculars that I bring when we’re birding. They got super sticky in their case because usually we just bring my husbands and they sat for 3 years or so. I cleaned them. How do I keep them from getting gross again? It was sticky black stuff. I cleaned them with rubbing alcohol. Obviously they’re not super fab binocs but I want to keep them for sentimental reasons plus they’re perfect for me because they’re light (and I adored his grandfather like he was my own).

might have 9-10 days off starting next week. so hit me with all your suggestions along the coast for your favorite birding spots and any birds that i should be on the look out that we dont get in the PNW. more looking for suggestions for southern oregon and California as i can probably do weekend trips in washington.

i have done this route before but not when i was really into birding before. ill for sure be hitting up Pinnacles NP for California condors.

other places ill be visiting but not specifically for birding is Tule lake and Devils postpile because they are 2 of the last 24 remaining NPS sites i havent been too.

i know im going to be doing lots of driving.

Hi! I will be in the Ogunquit/Portsmouth area this weekend and was looking for some fun birding spots. Does anyone have any good recommendations (either scenery wise or birding wise?)

Thank you very much!

Mr&Mrs RB Grosbeak

Looking for an ID of this bird seen in Opatija, Croatia by my friend! He says Merlin photo ID says it is a Larus argentatus, but since that one is rare my friend thinks Merlin might be wrong since juvenile gulls all kind of look the same? My friend also notes that it was quite big, bigger than the adult Larus michahellis

Help much appreciated!

a segment i do on my socials every month

I thought it was a red breasted nuthatch but couldn’t find any pictures with the black chest marking. Not sure if this is morphology or what, interested to see what people think!

Nólsoy, Faroe Islands — August 7, 2026

i had a bunch of warblers flitting around in the trees surrounding my deck this evening and managed to get shots of these ones. located in western Massachusetts. also including some notes i took of 2 warblers i saw through my binoculars before i went inside and got my camera; i think photo #4 is the same bird as note #1, but i didn’t get a photo of note #2

note #1: black and white on wings, pale belly, yellow chest with small darker orange-ish patch on underside of neck

note #2: mostly yellow, high contrast barring on chest, not a yellow warbler

my best guesses right now:

photo 1: red eyed vireo

photo 2: female american redstart

photo 3: tennessee warbler?

photo 4: ??

thank you for your service 🙏

Green Heron in Texas

Himachal Pradesh,India

Is my day blessed or cursed?

Caught these guys in another mating display again which was super cool.

Could someone ID these? They don’t look like the species I’ve seen before, but I’m leaning towards spruce grouse. Location is NWT, Canada

I was in northwest Maine and saw a ton of Loons (and my first northern parula). Beautiful animals, unbelievable eyes and the calls are one of the best in the bird world.

A Scarlet Tanager stopped by our yard in western North Carolina yesterday for a splash.

West Bengal

India

On sunday I went to the Mississippi gateway reserve in minnesota. Woke up at 430, got there around 630 and stayed until 1.

The first hour I was there was spent with this gorgous great blue heron. He knew I was there but didnt seem bothered. I spent probably a whole hour with him.