I get a lot of questions on which binocular for which application, but relatively few on how to actually use a binocular to get an object in the field of view on the first try. Guess folks take this for granted, but there is a proper technique for finding an object with a binocular. This skill is especially critical in birding if you want to spot a bird before it flies away or hops to the next branch.

Joanie's rule number one to get on target, quickly, is to NOT move you head when you spot a bird and I mean not a twitch. Bring the binocular to your head, never nod your head to meet the binocular. Rule number two is to square your head in relation to the bird, so that the bird will be relatively close to the center of the field of view when you look through the bino. Most of us have one eye stronger than the other, so tend to angle our heads a bit, instead of looking at an object straight on. I cure this by pointing my nose at the bird, then bringing the binocular up over my nose. Rule number three is to practice. You will get better.