A good set of peepers can only get you so far. While you might be able to easily spot the blue jay or hummingbird checking out your backyard feeder, spotting birds in the field can be a bit more tricky. A pair of 'binos' gets you closer to the action as the birds flitter and flap through the air and brush.
Some birders opt for a spotting scope; a miniature telescope on legs. More bulky and heavier than binoculars, a scope on a tripod keeps your view level and steady so you can really take in that rare bird perching in the distance.
