Top: Roniq Bartanen enjoying new binoculars and field guides; Bottom 3: Band-tailed Pigeon (Washington); Boat-tailed Grackle (Georgia); Great Egret (Texas). Lower 3 photos by Roniq Bartanen.
Roniq Bartanen recently became hooked on birding. She started without binoculars or field guides, except for her camera and keen eyes (she is a professional photographer www.roniqbartanen.com). Roniq is living proof that birding need not be a costly pastime. Yes there are high-end optics and all manner of gear that can cost thousands. But for those who want to get started and enjoy this wonderful hobby, you can do so for $100 or less. Just ask Roniq:
“I found a nice 8X42 pair of Nikon Trailblazer binoculars at Eagle Optics http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars for $90. Then I bought Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States, a U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Agriculture Handbook at a used bookstore for only $3. I’m really enjoying birding in my back yard in Seattle, in local refuges, and when I visit my dad in Texas. Having this starter kit has opened up a whole new world to me.”
Inspired by her early success, Roniq continued bargain shopping for birding resource guides: “I hit up Half Price Books over the weekend and found an awesome book titled An Audubon Handbook, How to Identify Birds used for $6.49, as well as one of those cool laminated pocket naturalist folding guides to Washington birds for $2.99. I saw a copy of Kingbird Highway as well but had reached my buying limit for that night and thought I’d get it from the library instead.”
Kenn Kaufman’s classic book Kingbird Highway chronicles his big year of birding when he was a young man equipped with an inexpensive pair of binoculars, a back pack, basic camping gear, and his thumb for hitch-hiking. He has since become one of the nation’s premier birders.
As Roniq discovered, Kingbird Highway and other birding classics are often available used at deeply discounted prices. “I’m just shocked at how many good used bird books there are out there. You really don’t need to spend a lot and get birds books brand new, with so much used stock available.”
Another birding classic, The Big Year, further demonstrates that this avocation can be pursued inexpensively. The Big Year book and film, both based on a true story, showcase one of the three “contestants” who quit his job at a Nuclear Plant, and lived in his car eating primarily peanut butter sandwiches to fulfill his dream of having a big year of birding.
I started with opera glasses and a Golden field guide. It’s not about the gear; it’s about the experience.
