I've had the LOMO SF-100 stereo microscope for a couple of weeks, now, and though I haven't had much time to play, I have placed a number of treasures on the stage for a closer look.

One of my main reasons for getting the SF-100 was to study grasses(hey, I'm from Nebraska!)and this kind of microscope is ideal for studying the small flowering structures (yes, grasses have flowers). In this regard, I have been very pleased with the LOMO.

I'm also an aspiring rockhound and plan to use the LOMO for some amateur geology. Wow! Do crystals and rocks look different under the microscope. What appear to be small imperfections on a smooth rock surface appear to be yawning chasms under the microscope. Tiny crystals look like huge gemstones.

And, oh yes, I have been digiscoping. I just hold my Pentax Optio A10 over one of the eyepieces and fire away. I now have a very interesting collection of desktop pics for my computer screen. I can't wait to get some snowflakes under the scope. Hopefully I can get a pic before they melt.

Photo is of a tiny flowering aquatic plant called Duckweed, magnified 40x

I've been hearing scattered reports from some of my email customers about dark skies around the country this last ten days or so. I have two things to say about this. First, good for them! I know and appreciate how rare and special a good night under the stars can be for an amateur astronomer. Second, when is it my turn? Pass some of that around, please. Okay, Chicago is not exactly the observing capitol of the world, but we deserve a dark sky every other month or so at least.

Sure, I entertain myself with videos, books and magazines on astronomy to fill in the gaps from one observing session to the next - most of us diehard astronomers do -but there is simply no substitute for seeing things for yourself, with your own eyes, no matter how small or diminutive the image. It's the difference between playing a sport and watching a sport, to put it familiar terms. The mind knows the difference and it responds accordingly.

Besides, I have some binos I want to star test. (As if I needed an excuse.)

I'm a proud owner of a LOMO SF100 stereo microscope. Why did I buy a microscope? Probably for the same reason a lot of people buy a microscope - just to look at things in general. For that kind of use, a stereo dissecting scope like the LOMO SF-100 is ideal. Just stick a rock, leaf, flower, twig, insect, thumb, whatever and focus. It's a whole new world under the microscope and best of all, there are no slides to prepare or mounts to make as with a conventional compound microscope. Want to work on your jewelry? Inspect coins? Work on your dentures? Dissect a … whatever. Images through a stereo dissecting scope right side up and correct right to left. Even better, since you are using a separate optical system for each eye, you also see in 3D so it's like you've entered another realm of nooks and crannies you never knew existed. A rock that appears smooth in the hand is, in fact, a world of caves and tunnels. Indeed, this new view of commonplace items may make a stereo dissecting microscope the best learning tool you can use with your kids. Just turn them loose in the backyard to collect samples and stick them under the microscope. (The samples, not the kids.)

We've been carrying Brunton optics as a product line in optics for some time, so it didn't comes as too much of a surprise to learn that we are adding all the Brunton compasses and camping gear. I do like Brunton optics, though I tend to be a bit picky on some details, but how can you say anything bad about a company that is smart enough to have their headquarters in Riverton, Wyoming? For a western gal like me, that is as close to heaven as it gets. Now, why can't I convince my bosses here at OpticsPlanet.net to relocate to, say, northern Idaho, or the Cascades in Oregon? How about southwestern Colorado, or southwestern Montana. Hey, I'm not picky.

Just can't see my boss in blue jeans and a cowboy hat, though.

A local birder (actually, me)reports that she was surrounded by a horde of bird species at a local marsh over the weekend and had to defend herself with a Kowa 663 spotting scope. Apparently she wandered into a birding "hotspot" located in the grassland between the marsh shore and an adjoining tree line, when she spotted Field Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows and Tree Sparrows in the grass and brush. The invasion continued when she turned her attention to the tree line behind her and spotted Eastern Bluebirds, a lone Nashville Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby crowned Kinglets, American Goldfinches. Rubbing her tired eyes, she inadvertently turned her attention to the marsh and added a pair of Black Ducks, a flock of Northern Shovellers, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, American Widgeon, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, a Sora Rail, and several other species she did not have time to record.

When asked how she escaped, she reported that she had to go to the bathroom, so the birds mercifully allowed her a break in the action. When she had returned, however, the invasion had passed. She promised to return next week, though, and get a record of other species known to frequent the area. Her last words were, "Thank heavens for my spotting scope. I would not have survived without it."

October 12 and it's snowing here in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Except for driving in the snow - traffic here is bad enough on a sunny day - I like snow, especially when it lands on leaves that are in full fall color. It's a photgrapher's dream, but, of course, I picked the wrong day to leave my Pentax Optio A10 at home. Usually, it's in my purse, waiting for just such an ocassion.

This early snow is also a graphic reminder that my fall birding is about to switch gears. The fall warbler migration is pretty much over, but the winter birds will be arriving soon. In fact, I have been seeing Juncos for weeks and some migrating waterfowl as well. Time to throw my Kowa 663 spotting scope over my shoulder and head to the marsh! (If we don' t get snowed in, that is.)

Just got my hands on the new Swift Eaglet 7x36. I've been waiting for this one to show up on my desk and I have to say, it was worth the wait. What a sweetie!

I've always been a fan of 7x binos and have been saddened to see the demise of the 7x as a popular magnification over the years. The optics world deserves more choices in a 7x, so thank-you, Swift. I've also been a fan of small binos and the Eaglet, though not quite a compact, does have the overall feel of a smaller 32mm bino, despite its 36mm objective. Again, thank-you, Swift.

Here's how the Eaglet tested out. Focusing is smooth and effortless and can easily be done with one finger. Combine this with the 7x magnification and light weight and you have a binocular that can easily be operated with one hand. Ergonomics I rated as excellent - the Eaglet nestled itself in my hand and just made itself at home. The Japanese made Eaglet is just hard to put down.

Optically, I rated the Eaglet as very good for resolution, contrast, color and edge sharpness. In fact, it compared with many larger and more powerful 8x42 binos in these categories - excellent showing for a 7x36. However, there was some barrel distortion on this unit, though by no means objectionable. I was also hoping for a bit more field of view. 374 feet at 1000 yards is certainly not skimpy and more than adequate, even for a beginner, but most of the classic 7x binos over the years had a FOV of over 400 feet. (Okay, so I'm spoiled.)

The real test of a bino for an optics addict and passionate birder, though, is out in the field. Would I take the Eaglet on an all day workout with the birds? That's what I plan to do this weekend, but my first impression is a big, "Yes!"

I've been thinking of expanding my casual interest in rock collecting into more of a hobby. With this in mind, I was collecting rocks along the Lake Superior shore last week and planned to take them home and look at them under a stereo microscope such as the LOMO SF-50.

My friend and I were ambling along, just picking here and there at rocks that looked pretty. This has been a tradition with us for a couple of years, now. When we get home, we place them in a water filled jar which makes a nice centerpiece on a table.

We looked up as a nice gentleman approached and offered to give us some pointers on collecting rocks as well as some technical information on the geology of the area. It turns out he was Bill Mueller, author of Lake Michigan Rock Picker's Guide. Talk about having your own personal expert. Bill was working on another guide, this one for Lake Superior, but took time out to help a couple of beginners. Needless to say, he made a couple of book sales. Thanks, Bill

I will be heading up to the northern Wisconsin / Michigan border area on my annual fall waterfall and fall color photo trip as of tomorrow, so no blog for a few days. Hopefully, when I return,I will have some pics to post. Last year, I managed some nice pics with my old and partially disabled HP 2MP camera (see pic), but this year I will be carrying my Pentax Optio A10, 8MP beauty. Look out Lake Superior, here comes Joanie! The Optio A10 has already proven itself for digiscoping and wildflower work and with its superb color saturation, I expect some great fall color shots.

I can already smell those northwoods and hear the waves washing up on those Lake Superior beaches.