I bought the Garmin E-Trex GPS yesterday and, so far, I have been pleased. It is as simple and uncomplicated to use as I expected. I've only stored two waypoints, so far, but it has already provided me with some insights. For instance, I have learned that I only live 5.3 miles from work, as the crow flies. However, I am not a crow, so I must follow the streets, like every other human in this area. Still, given that distance, it is a little disconcerting to spend nearly 40 minutes getting home through the traffic, as happened last night. Wow! That's a whole 8.8 miles an hour if we calculate velocity to my apartment. No, I can't walk that fast, but I can sure bicycle that fast. With the price of gas expected to break $3.00 a gallon, soon, it's back to MapQuest to find a suitable bike route to work. My Trek gets great mileage, too.

One of the things I so love about birding is its simplicity. Yes, I know some think of it as a techno geeky detail oriented activity (definitely a myth), but as far as equipment goes, it remains relatively uncluttered. Get a binocular and a bird guide and go. You don't have to be a millionaire to enjoy it either. Sure, the hard core (myself included) constantly drool over the premium and very expensive optics, but truth be known, even a basic binocular will get the job done. For those thinking of giving it all a try, read my article on our website at How to Understand Binoculars

If you are still not convinced, I am willing to bet you will be out birding soon if you also read my article,10 Reasons to Start Birdwatching Today,

Still not convinced? Give me a call.

Because of my non-existent sense of direction, I've decided it's time to get a GPS. After all, anyone who routinely schedules an extra half an hour of time for getting lost on a trip to her local grocery store, should have a GPS. Sure, a guy would be better, but they tend to get mad at me for being so consistently making wrong turns. At least a GPS won't yell at me.

Also, anyone who is easily frustrated by complex computer menus should get the simplest model possible. All I really need is something that tells me in the simplest terms the direction I need to turn. I don't need to know elevation or see a topo map or have something that beeps and buzzes at me. I have enough of those irritating toys.

That said, I've been looking at the purse sized Garmin E-Trex GPS. It's bold yellow color is not my first choice in a fashion statement, but it's probably a good choice when trying to retrieve it from the local landfill that describes my purse. It will fit right in there with all my makeup, hair brushes, mirrors, fragrances and other essentials.

I've been out (and down) for awhile, but with the recent fabulous arrival of spring, I am now bursting with energy and more than ready to get outdoors. This last weekend, for instance, I spent a lot of hours and put a lot of miles in on my road bike. I have yet to master the art of riding a bike and looking through a binocular simultaneously and I have also spent enough time on a bike to know that is not a skill to pursue.

On the other hand, I have used my mountain bike for birding in the local forest preserves and praires. For those new to birding on a bicycle, the trick is to know your area well and bicycle from one hot spot to the next. I have not had much success searching and spotting while the bike is in motion. The bike does allow you to cover more territory in areas not accessible to vehicles, though, and this is a real advantage in areas that are large and extensive. Yes, I do carry my Kowa 663 spotting scope, too. While traveling, the scope is in a shoulder bag (close to my heart in more ways than one)and the little Nikon 848 tripod is strapped to the carrier on my mountain bike. Needless to say, my Nikon 8x32 Premier SE binocular is always around my neck. (No, I don't sleep with it, depsite rumors to the contrary).

I came down with a sinus type infection over the weekend, so had to cancel my weekly nature walk in one of our local forest preserves. These Sunday outings have become such a part of my routine that I feel a bit lost and disoriented when I miss one. So, to avoid that loss of center, I did the next best thing - I had the birds come to me.

Early on Sunday morning, I broadcast a bucket of black oil sunflower seeds on the patio, just outside my walkout window, then quickly retreated to the warmth of living room sofa, where I had set up my Kowa 663 spotting scope equipped with the Kowa 20x,wide angle eyepiece and, of course, my Nikon Premier 8x32SE binocular. The spotting scope, though, was going to be my main tool for this gig.

Yes, the spotting scope. One of the great things about the little Kowa and many other premium grade scopes is the awesome close focus capability. Kowa list my close focus at 18 feet, though mine squeezes out a bit more, anout 16 feet by my measurements. Let me tell you, that at 20x, you will not only see every feather on a Juncoa tenty feet away, you will also see individual barbs on the feathers. it's the next best thing to holding one in your hand. You also see minute details on the bills and eyes that you never see in a binocular. Even the ubiquitous House Sparrow and Starling becomes fascinating at this level of detail.

Did I add any species to my '07 list? No. Did I see anything I had not already seen many times before? No.

Did I find my center?

Oh yes.