During the peak of bird migration, there's nothing more exciting than attending a birding festival. The birds are spectacular and the people are great. If you haven't tried a festival yet, this is a must-do for next season! Use BWD's Birding and Nature Festival Finder to help you select from the many available in special areas all over the country.

After a decade and a half in the optics retail business, there are a few truths I’ve come across when helping birders find a good fit with the optics they to study and enjoy birds. Some bits of wisdom are about navigating through a selection of optics around some genuine limitations, such as budget, weight, and magnification. Other considerations can be more subjective, like ergonomics, brand affinity, and even nostalgia. One consistent truth for most birders with whom I have consulted over the years is that there isn’t one ultimate or perfect binocular. While that holy grail of optics may be eternally elusive for most of us, the following 10 points—steps on the paths to perfection—may just help you get a lot closer.

How do you make your international birding trip a success? Retired adventure travel agent Marci Madsen Fuller tells you how.