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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. MMcD

    Bird Guide in Chapultepec/CDMX?

    Thanks! I’ll check him out. I was looking at the opus, and saw a lot of good info, but must have missed info about guides if it is there. Yeah, left to my own devices, I’d happily tool around by myself and explore. I had a few solo days in Lisbon last summer and had a splendid time riding...
  2. MMcD

    Bird Guide in Chapultepec/CDMX?

    Does anyone know of a knowledgeable birder who leads outings in Chapultepec or Mexico City more broadly? I am headed to Mexico City in a couple months for a very short visit in a group of non-birders. Given the dynamics of the trip, I think my best chance to do some proper birding is to hire a...
    • MMcD
    • Thread
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Mexico
  3. MMcD

    Best Chances to See an American Dipper in the Seattle Region?

    Ha ha, thanks! Sadly, we didn’t have any luck on that one. I’ll have to wait until another trip. Good to have that info here for future visitors though.
  4. MMcD

    Best Chances to See an American Dipper in the Seattle Region?

    Any suggestions on the best places to look for an American Dipper within day-trip driving range of Seattle? I’m headed to Seattle in a few days and trying to piece together my birding itinerary. I’ll mostly be sticking around the city for general (non-dipper) birding, but I plan to rent a car...
  5. MMcD

    Seattle Birding

    I’m sorry to see that nobody answered this. I’m here to ask more or less the same question (though I’m planning to rent a car for some of it). Where’d you end up going? How was it?
  6. MMcD

    Three Unexpected Days in Lisbon… Birding Advice?

    This was one of the ones that got away from me! We saw one during our day trip down south, but it was the guide who spotted it, and all I got was a non-descript silhouette of a bird flying away. I also thought I might have seen one in the walled park by the palace in Mafra... but neither one was...
  7. MMcD

    Three Unexpected Days in Lisbon… Birding Advice?

    Thanks for the advice, Gonçalo. I ended up having a great time during my brief stay in Lisbon. I‘m putting down some of the details, so that anyone searching the forum can refer back. On the day of my arrival: I walked up to Parque Silva Porto, which I could see from my AirBnb. Aside from being...
  8. MMcD

    Three Unexpected Days in Lisbon… Birding Advice?

    Thank you, Gonçalo. This is a wealth of information. I actually decided to stay near Monsanto, as it seemed quite interesting. I appreciate you spending the time to put all this down for me. I will check it out and let you know if I have any questions. Much appreciated! 🙏
  9. MMcD

    Three Unexpected Days in Lisbon… Birding Advice?

    Thanks for your reply. In order: -This is for mid-May -We are planning to get a car after the three days, but if possible I’d rather use transit during this time. I’m flexible about this, but I find driving abroad to be much less stressful with a navigator in the car. :) -At this point I’m...
  10. MMcD

    Three Unexpected Days in Lisbon… Birding Advice?

    Due to a miscommunication with my wife’s extended family (turns out I’m not invited 😅), I’ve suddenly found myself with 3 unexpected days in Lisbon & surrounding area. I’ll be meeting up with my wife at the end of those days, and we’ll continue our journey to the Southern portions of Portugal...
  11. MMcD

    Best “Pocket” Binoculars for Non-Birding Travel

    I am looking for recommendations for “pocket” binoculars for an upcoming trip. My wife and I are headed to Portugal with her extended family, and much of the time I will be doing non-birding activities in Lisbon and surrounding area. Later in the trip, we will head off on our own to do some...
  12. MMcD

    Wind & American Woodcock Displays

    Luck seems to be a pretty big factor. We went to two spots that were known to be quite active and had no luck… then I went back to the first and had an incredible experience where I got buzzed by flying woodcocks multiple times (just above eye level, and within 8’… so close I could see their...
  13. MMcD

    Wind & American Woodcock Displays

    Good luck!
  14. MMcD

    Wind & American Woodcock Displays

    Thanks! We tried last night and were treated to still air and a gorgeous sunset… but only a few peents and the sound of one unseen aerial display. I guess a little wind doesn’t preclude displays, but no wind doesn’t guarantee them! 😅 Fingers crossed for next time.
  15. MMcD

    Wind & American Woodcock Displays

    Does anyone know how windy is too windy for American Woodcocks to do their display? I’m hoping to see them before it gets too late in the season, but all I can find online is “calm” Forecasts this weekend are all calling for ~6-7 mph wind. Is that too windy? It’s a bit of a drive to a...
  16. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    Quick update for anyone reading this post later with a simiiar considerations of the MM4 A month and a half later, and I’m very happy with my MM4. I’ve taken it on hikes (both in a pack and held in hand) and found it to be very light and easy to transport. It fit easily into my carry-on for air...
  17. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    So, I ended up going with the MM4 60. Partly based on the ability to swap out eyepieces, partly for the decreased liability of traveling with a more expensive scope, and partly because I found one for sale less than an hour from me. That said, I’m still waiting on my tripod to get shipped, so I...
  18. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    That seems like an odd move, judging by how many folks seem to love them. Oof… every time I think I’ve made a decision the scales get kicked back into motion! 😂
  19. MMcD

    Advice on Opticron MM4 60 w SDLv3 vs Kowa 553

    Thanks for all of this info. I’m having the exact same debate. You had me totally sold on the MM4 60, till the air travel bit. Do you find it too large for a rolling bag, or is it that you’re not checking a bag and just have too much other stuff? I’m planning a couple trips that I’m really...
  20. MMcD

    ED50 compared with Kowa 553 ?

    Thanks for taking the time to respond. It’s such a head-spinning undertaking, yet a big enough purchase that you don’t want to just say ’screw it’ and buy whatever. I’m currently vacillating between the 553 and the Opticron MM4 60.
  21. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    Thank you! So many factors to consider! 🤯
  22. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    Do you routinely carry multiple eyepieces, or is this something you’d swap for a given outing? Or just a general aversion to the zoom eyepiece? I was reading a bit about this on another thread: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/mm3-mm4-has-anyone-given-up-using-zoom.372804/ I’m caught in that...
  23. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    I confess that this is yet another factor that I hadn’t considered. So, if I understand correctly— this would be for when you’ve found your target using the movements of the head, but the position of the eyepiece is now awkward. With the Kowa you’d have to shift the set up so that the eyepiece...
  24. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    On Opticron USA’s site, the MM4 60 GA ED/45 Travelscope + SDLv3 15-45x Eyepiece is listed as $1144, which is $355 difference (few meaning ~3, this being on the upper end of that range). This is consistent with the dealer nearest me, who is listed on Opticron’s ‘Where to buy’ page and on whom I...
  25. MMcD

    Opticron MM4-60 vs Kowa TSN 553?

    With the help of folks on this forum, I’m on the fence between the Opticron MM4-60 and Kowa TSN-553. At the moment, the Kowa is on sale, so the price difference (once you throw in an eyepiece for the Opticron) is only a few hundred dollars... which puts them temporarily in a comparable bracket...
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