Close-focus binoculars: Pentax Papilio II (8.5×21) $145.00
Unlike all other binoculars, these lightweight Papilios are able to focus on and magnify objects from only 20 inches away, allowing you to enter gloriously magnified worlds of color, form, texture, and behavior. They also focus to infinity––infinitely far into the distance.
Last summer, when I looked at a fringed checkerbloom from about six feet away, all I saw was the flower itself. Then, standing in the same spot, I looked with my close-focus binoculars and was astonished to see a tiny moth inside the circle of petals! (Below right). When I moved my binoculars to within 20 inches of the flower, I could see the moth’s proboscis probing for nectar on the inside of the petals! Experiences like this enrich my life every time I go on a walk with my close-focus binoculars.
TOOLS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
When you and your companions all have Papilios, you can simultaneously “ooh and aah” over the same wondrous object––a tiny wasp emerging from a crystalline gall (below left), the amazing eyes of a dragonfly, or the “skylight” that allows light into the third eye of a western fence lizard. Hand lenses are great, but if you were to get close enough to use a hand lens instead of these binoculars, your head would block everyone else’s view of the gall, the dragonfly would fly off, and the lizard would dash away! Whether you are two or many, everyone enjoys being able to observe an animal or plant at the same time as everyone else and ask questions like, “OK, exactly where is the skylight is on that lizard’s head?” (For the answer, see my western fence lizard chapter).
Another advantage of Papilios is that you can get close-up views without bending or muddying your knees. As you walk along, when you see something interesting near the ground, such as a turkey tail fungus or a dew-covered spider web, you simply lift the binoculars to your eyes and drink in every beautiful detail.
LIGHTWEIGHT
Papilios are lightweight, so I barely notice them around my neck. For serious birding, I also wear a pair of birding binoculars that have similar magnification but a wider field of vision. With them it is easier to find a golden eagle far up in the sky or a hummingbird high in a tree canopy. I wear a binocular harness that carries the weight of the birding binoculars on my shoulders instead of my neck.
YOU CAN WEAR YOUR GLASSES
As with all binoculars, you can use your prescription glasses. Just keep the eyecups rotated in. If you take your glasses off, gently rotate the eyecups out counterclockwise.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Many people are wondering these days how to get young people away from their digital devices long enough to connect with the natural world. I have found that they flock to these binoculars––another kind of “device”––and then they get hooked on nature!
ACCESSORIES
These binoculars come with a case, straps, and lens caps. I provide a zip-tie for attaching the lens caps to the strap. I also provide written instructions that fill in gaps in the manufacturer’s manual.