Buying Binoculars & Scopes For Birdwatching

Dick Jordan attended a presentation about how to choose binoculars and spotting scopes that was given at the EAC Birding Festival last weekend.  Here are two handouts that he picked up:

• How To Choose A Binocular
  
• How To Choose A Spotting Scope

If you click on the handouts you can view and print them.  (A permanent link to these handouts is on the blog under “Reference Materials” in the “Links” tab at the top of the blog).

Wolf Ridge Hike (5/4) Preview

Here's Wendy's description of this annual Spring outing: "Wildflowers and views! On this hike we see late bloomers in profusion – columbine, fringe cups, ookow and many more. We can expect to see nesting cliff swallows. Last year we saw fairy moths!”

Directions to trailhead: From Highway 101 south bound, take the last exit before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right, go under the freeway, and get in the left turn lane to go through the one way tunnel with the 5 minute traffic light. Park at the end of the road. (Rodeo Beach will be on the other side of the road). Time: 40 minutes from COM. Restrooms at trailhead. (Carpoolers can meet at Greenbrae Park & Ride lot around 9:15 - 9:20 am).

Weather forecast: We did this hike on May 6, 2008 and encountered lots of fog and clouds. (Click here for a recap of that outing). Last year we followed the same rate under a blazing sun.  (Click here for the hike recap).
 
As of Wednesday, April 28, the National Weather Service forecast for this year’s hike was near perfect:  was sunny with a high near 67. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "A5 Coastal - Wolf Ridge - Miwok Trails" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows our route for this 5 mile-plus hike with a 1,000' elevation gain, as does the "Coastal-Miwok Loop" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Hill 88, our probable lunch spot, is 960' above sea level with lovely views on a clear day). The Google Earth photo below shows the area. (Click on it to open a larger image in your Web browser).

NEW! Tuesday Morning Weather Update

At about 7 a.m. today (Tuesday, April 27th) the infrared and water vapor satellite pictures on the National Weather Service Website showed that the last heavy band of rain was passing over the San Francisco Bay Area.   With luck the rain will begin to lessen by the time we reach the trailhead.

The forecast continues to call for showers and sets the chance of precipitation at 100% with south southwest winds between 18 and 20 mph and gusts as high as 24 mph.  The high temperature will be near 60.

Blown Away, Not Off, At Chimney Rock

Last year just keeping upright at Chimney Rock was a challenge as a strong storm system hit Point Reyes during our hike.  This year was different.