Wildlife binoculars

A home is not normally considered a great place to do birdwatching and view wildlife, unless your home is in the north woods like ours. Birding binoculars are always within reach and my spotting scope is just steps away. We are happy campers, right in our own home, so to speak.

Does this mean you have to pack up all your belongings and head to the north woods to enjoy wildlife from your home? No, not at all. I’ve lived in urban areas and suburban areas, too, and even in the biggest city, I’ve always had an opportunity to view wildlife with binoculars and spotting scopes from my window (and I am talking wildlife, here, not my neighbors).

Okay, you may not see bears, moose and otters, as we sometimes do, but you’d be amazed at the variety of wildlife that you can see in the binoculars, once you start to look. Squirrels and rabbits are present in just about every yard, of course, but even while living in Chicago, I regularly saw coyotes, deer, raccoons, bats and opossum right from my apartment window. A short walk to a city park pond and I could see muskrats, beaver and even a mink, now and then.

Many wildlife species have an amazing ability to make themselves at home in the big city, right along with the rest of us. If you live in the city, buy binoculars if you don’t already have some and take a look.

About the pic: deer needed in the snow, taken from our bedroom window!