You might enjoy a tripod, if there's a screw hole in the bottom of the 'nocs, it's for attaching the thing that attaches to the tripod, I think that's fairly universal. I got mine in the mid-90's but it was only $10. It has adjustments I didn't even know until DH showed me, and it leg sections and a periscope thing so it can get tall enough that he doesn't have to stoop to use it. Then folds up in seconds to like 16" long, weighs less than a pound I think. But anyway, that would put the 'nocs in a stable location, as close to your head as you feel like, like using a telescope which comes with its' own tripod. The more you do whatever-it-is that you do (besides jerky sudden movements,) the more the hummers will get used to you and come closer/around more. DH is at work all day, so they don't see him as often. When he sets up to take some pics, he usually has to wait and only believes me about their numbers and activities from watching out the window. They just don't act like that when he's out there. But when I'm on the porch alone, it's like grand central station, they zip in/out, chasing each other, sampling the blooms, and hitting this feeder, whether I'm sitting down or watering plants, as long as I'm moving sloth-like. (This feeder with a perch is very popular, and we get a good close-up view of perched ones often. If DH had taken this pic, it would be clear, sorry, it was me.)

Lisa, thanks. I agree. We haven't seen snakey since the day I posted this. I have no problem encouraging him to wind around my walking stick, then carry him out to the deeper woods about 5 acres away. The babies fledged this morning! All five are now out of the nest, happened for four between 9 & 10am, and the fifth one flew about 11:30am. So far you're right - when we saw last they were all up in low trees near their little enclave of nest-box & "worm-hut" (plexi hanging dome). Mama is still providing worms, and we'll continue to do so, but we're gonna back down to twice a day. Next task is to clean the box, and keep an eye out for snakey. Neighbors said today that the neighborhood red fox has at least one kit, and other neighbors say they've seen a bobcat (!!!). TONS of bird activity in the yard - today was a fun day. Having fun, but keeping our eye out for danger. Thanks for all good advice. - Les.

7 x 35 Guide no= 35/7=5 10 x 42 guide no= 42/10=4.2 The 7 x 35 is a litle brigher. The 7 x 35 has a field of view of 487 ft @ 1000 yards The 10 powwer has a field of view of 293 ft 2 1000 yards. For general puropse use, the 7x35 is the better choice. Its also better for spotting planes due to its wider field. The 7x35 is useful handheld; The 10x42 will be shakey and will need a support. It will be difficult to 'find' a plane quickly due to its narrow view. I own a 7x35 and a 10x50, both used for birding. I do enjoy the greater power of the 10x and use it for special occasions, but the 7x35 has proven far more practical on hikes, etc. The 10x50 is better for viewing the moon. Send the 7x35.

I think that a 10 x 25 binocular would be useless for photography - not enough light gathering power and the tele power is fixed at 10 times. The poster above recommended an low cost camera with an optical zoom lens. I agree with that recomendation. 10 x 25 => 10 power by 25 mm diameter objective lens. An officer's binocular is about 8 x 50. Its brightness is roungly 50/8 or a little over 6. Use "6" as a standard for comparison. The 10x25 brightness is 25/10 or 2.5. This thing is dim. Furthermore, you won't be able to hand hold a shot at 10x magnification. A very stiff tripod is needed to steady the shot. Also, the fastest shutter speed you can get is needed. The low light of the 10 x 25 binocular will not provide a fast shutter speed. A good camera with zoom provides much more light gathering power measured by its f/stop number; The lower the number, the greater its light gathering power. A zoom lens should be marked with two f/stop ratings, for example f/2.8 - f/5.8. The largest ratio, f/2.8 is the opening at the lowest end of the zoom range and the smaller ratio, f/5.8, would be the opening at the high end of the zoom range. Look at the Canon Power Shot series. These cameras have some of the widest openings at full zoom. However some other brands have sensors with better dynamic range of exposure.