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BINOCULATION
by Rick Clements
Binoculation is defined as that moment when the image of a bird is coupled with the visual receptors in the eye via the instrument of coupling - the binocular. For many birders, it is the supreme moment of exhilaration, the consummation of all his efforts, the flash of ecstasy that climaxes the birding experience. For others, it is merely icing on the birding cake; a deliriously wonderful icing to be sure, but not required for satisfaction.
Binoculation takes many forms. Perfect binoculation is a crystal clear image in flawless focus at reasonably close range that affords accurate identification and immense gratification. It is the quintessential paradigm of binoculation. In contrast, fractional binoculation, that situation when a bird is in focus for something less than a fraction of a millisecond, represents the nadir of birding particularly if the bird in question is thought to have been a Bachman's warbler. Dysfunctional binoculation is that embarrassing circumstance when an otherwise perfect binoculation is misidentified. Among the commoner birds, Lincoln's sparrow is responsible for a disproportionate share of dysfunctional binoculations. Simultaneous binoculation is, or course, when two birders achieve binoculation at the same time. While this experience can be a pleasant nuance, its fervent pursuit can be self-defeating. Group binoculation is a shockingly common practice. During particularly lively group binoculation, as when binoculating with swans, it is not unusual for one binoculator to obstruct the view of another in an act known as binoculus interuptus. A common and most frustrating experience is partial binoculation which seems to occur far too often, particularly with warblers, when constant activity and intervening foliage permits only glimpses of individual anatomical portions. While partial binoculation can be frustrating, it is the only reliable method of adding elusive tropical species such as antbirds, wrens, and tapuculos to one's life list. This accumulation of partial binoculations of various body parts is called composite binoculation and can be extremely satisfying albeit time-consuming.
Several truths are associated with binoculation. Everyone, save the visually impaired can, with a little practice, achieve binoculation. Multiple binoculation is a common experience for both sexes. In fact, I recall, with a trace of exhaustion, the last Birdathon when I attained in excess of 160 binoculations with Kathryn, Kathi, and Suzanne. Premature binoculation can occur but, happily, is never a source of shame or embarrassment. In fact, it can be quite satisfying. For example, a while back we heard that an American redstart had been found in the parking lot of Cabrillo National Monument and we headed in that direction. Upon arrival, a flash of yellow in one of the ornamental trees enabled us to achieve perfect binoculation without even turning off the ignition.
From time to time everyone experiences the heartbreak of binoculation failure. I remember a certain humiliating episode concerning California's second record of red-headed woodpecker. Three times we went to Santa Barbara and three times we failed to achieve binoculation. Everyone I knew had seen the bird and a growing sense of panic was overtaking me. I was so ashamed of my failure that I even snuck off to Santa Barbara by myself a few times in hopes of regaining my binoculation ability. Alas, more failures. Then one day we tried again and for some reason I was relaxed and not making a big deal out of this woodpecker and it just happened--- perfect binoculation. Binoculation failure had happened before and will happen again (probably with increasing regularity as I grow older) but I know that worrying about it and placing an inordinate amount of importance on it, just makes the situation worse and that the important lesson is that there is a lot more to birding than binoculation.
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Pomona Valley Audubon Society
Southern California