Thank you Brian! Wonderful instructions for something I’ve been doing since I was a kid.Bending down to peer into the beauty of nature, but without a jeweler’s loop. I am pleased to find a new use for the one I own. Here in Vermont , we use a jeweler’s loop for looking at , umm, other botanical buds.
I am putting mine on a lanyard right now. I can’t wait to go out and explorer with new ‘eyes’.
Thanks, Lor. I'm thinking about running a "field trip" on Chasing Nature called something like "What's That Stuff Growing on this Tree?" We'll share images. But lenses will no doubt come into play! (Hope all is well with the "female" buds!)
Speaking of ‘play’ . I’m heading out to go play with my lanyard jewelry. First up is what I think is orange fungus disease on a few downed birch branches. Tiny orange bumps closely gathered along the bark?
I still use the doublet 10x hand lens I bought at the student bookstore for my field botany class back in the late 90s. And, it's still on the same cord.
Perfect timing! I’m headed off on a long western immersion tomorrow morning, and today as I was winnowing in order to fit in my trunk better, one of the things I set aside “because I really never tend to use it” was my 10X triplet. But it’s tiny! You’ve reminded me why I’ve kept it with my daypack stuff for years; now I just have to remember it’s there!
Related: something I have indeed remembered to use more regularly are my Pentax 8.5x21 U-Series Papilio II binocs: Nicely compact for a daypack, and their secret power is the ability to focus as close as 18”! Great for looking at tree flowers, or watching a snail in the duff at my feet as I sit on a log, etc. Very much like having a magnifying glass, for 2-8’ distances.
I'd been thinking of getting a hand lens for awhile, though for something that does require bending down to peer at things--some wildlife leave very, very small tracks, and as I get older the finer details even in larger tracks get harder to see. I have a magnifying glass but it doesn't really get the job done. So this recommendation is timely!
Hmm. I'm not sure one of these lens would be suitable, G.W., unless you're looking at insect tracks. Even then, I suspect bigger glass (and not a loupe) would be more helpful. Maybe a better version of what you have. Some even lave LED lights installed, which can help.
Insects yes, occasionally, but small mammals (like mice and shrews) more likely. One with LEDs would be great! I hadn't thought of that. I'll take a look around.
Thankyou for this. I had a loupe a few years ago but it stayed forgotten at the bottom of my backpack and never got any use before I lost it. This is great inspiration to try again!
Wonderful, Bryan. Looking forward to adding a lens to my exploration tool kit. Also, I loved the tiny universe in Men in Black too. Thank you, as always, for a delightful treat of a post.
Thanks, Holly. Watching the end of that clip, and thinking about how I myself feel while discovering something wonderful through a lens ... my eyes welled up. Really. Little things with big impact. (Good luck with those BYOEs!)
Loved the overview and advice on hand lenses (and greatly enjoy all your posts). Now a retired botanist and consultant (former lead botanist for the Michigan natural features inventory) I still have and use my original 10x loupe from my first field botany course with Herb Wagner at U-M in 1977, and still carry that loupe on the original nylon twine on my cruiser vest. I also carry a newer 14x loupe - and also have at hand a 30x loupe with a small embedded light for bryophytes. Wagner gave me a lifelong tip about loupes that has served me well, telling our class to not close the non-viewing eye while using a loupe. It is counterintuitive but causes less eye strain that way. Works like a charm. Best wishes - M.P.
I was there at UofM from 1976-80. Among my few regrets in life is that I didn't take courses at SNR, particularly with Herb Wagner. (I studied chemistry and physics at the time.) You probably knew some of my pals at the time. Anyway, yeah, I do admit to closing my non-viewing eye. I do it through spotting scopes as well. But, hey, I'll work on changing that. Congrats on the longevity of that lens, Mike!
Thankyou for this! I have never been enamoured with the galaxy and visiting other stellar bodies. I think our tax payer money would be better spent on this planet including getting to know our fellow inhabitants, including the tiny.
Over the years, I sometimes had two lenses on one cord. Now all are separate. I like the earnings analogy! (For so many years I've aspired to get a tattoo and a pierced ear -- I guess I'm still kinda "square.")
Hey Brian...I've been carrying a Hastings Triplet for a few decades, but about 7-8 years ago, I forgot it one day and tried flipping my 10x40 binocs "backwards" and VOILA! IT worked nearly as well. Since then, I've maybe busted out the hand lens 3 times b/c I'm pretty much always wearing my binocs. Just thought that might useful info for other binocular-carrying folks here. Great essay!
Thank you Brian! Wonderful instructions for something I’ve been doing since I was a kid.Bending down to peer into the beauty of nature, but without a jeweler’s loop. I am pleased to find a new use for the one I own. Here in Vermont , we use a jeweler’s loop for looking at , umm, other botanical buds.
I am putting mine on a lanyard right now. I can’t wait to go out and explorer with new ‘eyes’.
Thanks, Lor. I'm thinking about running a "field trip" on Chasing Nature called something like "What's That Stuff Growing on this Tree?" We'll share images. But lenses will no doubt come into play! (Hope all is well with the "female" buds!)
Speaking of ‘play’ . I’m heading out to go play with my lanyard jewelry. First up is what I think is orange fungus disease on a few downed birch branches. Tiny orange bumps closely gathered along the bark?
Perhaps a fungus in the genus Tremella. Or a lichen in the genus Xanthoria. Or something else! Get a photo!
That reminds me, I have an old Bausch & Lomb loupe with a 5x, 10x, and 20x magnifier that I keep in my desk. I'll bring it on nature walks!
Won't be long before those pine barrens come to life!
Yes, I've got the blooming schedule for the orchids and whatnot. I'll go looking this year
Very good - speaks to what's left of my soul. The photo reminded J of the deathless verse beginning "Sedges have edges and rushes are round etc ... "
Those two are really into Carex. I have yet to take the plunge.
I still use the doublet 10x hand lens I bought at the student bookstore for my field botany class back in the late 90s. And, it's still on the same cord.
Yay! A lens that's seen things and perhaps inspired some of your poetry, which is lovely and vivid and wistful and forceful. Thanks for creating it.
thank you for reading & sharing your impressions
How do I send you a photo?
I create opportunities for that next week!
Perfect timing! I’m headed off on a long western immersion tomorrow morning, and today as I was winnowing in order to fit in my trunk better, one of the things I set aside “because I really never tend to use it” was my 10X triplet. But it’s tiny! You’ve reminded me why I’ve kept it with my daypack stuff for years; now I just have to remember it’s there!
Related: something I have indeed remembered to use more regularly are my Pentax 8.5x21 U-Series Papilio II binocs: Nicely compact for a daypack, and their secret power is the ability to focus as close as 18”! Great for looking at tree flowers, or watching a snail in the duff at my feet as I sit on a log, etc. Very much like having a magnifying glass, for 2-8’ distances.
Yeah, gotta have close-focusing binos.
Awesome. (Mine's usually around my neck -- even when I have an office day.) Enjoy your trip!
I'd been thinking of getting a hand lens for awhile, though for something that does require bending down to peer at things--some wildlife leave very, very small tracks, and as I get older the finer details even in larger tracks get harder to see. I have a magnifying glass but it doesn't really get the job done. So this recommendation is timely!
Hmm. I'm not sure one of these lens would be suitable, G.W., unless you're looking at insect tracks. Even then, I suspect bigger glass (and not a loupe) would be more helpful. Maybe a better version of what you have. Some even lave LED lights installed, which can help.
Insects yes, occasionally, but small mammals (like mice and shrews) more likely. One with LEDs would be great! I hadn't thought of that. I'll take a look around.
Thankyou for this. I had a loupe a few years ago but it stayed forgotten at the bottom of my backpack and never got any use before I lost it. This is great inspiration to try again!
I've lost or forgotten a few compasses over the years — then found them again much later. Which is why I own about four compasses. 😁
Wonderful, Bryan. Looking forward to adding a lens to my exploration tool kit. Also, I loved the tiny universe in Men in Black too. Thank you, as always, for a delightful treat of a post.
Thanks, Holly. Watching the end of that clip, and thinking about how I myself feel while discovering something wonderful through a lens ... my eyes welled up. Really. Little things with big impact. (Good luck with those BYOEs!)
Thank you!!
Oof, those 14x B&L triplets are hard to find!
Hmm. I'm seeing some online. But, yeah, hard to find locally. The 14x lenses do cost more.
Brian,
Loved the overview and advice on hand lenses (and greatly enjoy all your posts). Now a retired botanist and consultant (former lead botanist for the Michigan natural features inventory) I still have and use my original 10x loupe from my first field botany course with Herb Wagner at U-M in 1977, and still carry that loupe on the original nylon twine on my cruiser vest. I also carry a newer 14x loupe - and also have at hand a 30x loupe with a small embedded light for bryophytes. Wagner gave me a lifelong tip about loupes that has served me well, telling our class to not close the non-viewing eye while using a loupe. It is counterintuitive but causes less eye strain that way. Works like a charm. Best wishes - M.P.
I was there at UofM from 1976-80. Among my few regrets in life is that I didn't take courses at SNR, particularly with Herb Wagner. (I studied chemistry and physics at the time.) You probably knew some of my pals at the time. Anyway, yeah, I do admit to closing my non-viewing eye. I do it through spotting scopes as well. But, hey, I'll work on changing that. Congrats on the longevity of that lens, Mike!
Shutting the nonviewing is less stressful, in the long run.
Not doing so, is I guess, adapting it to be the dominant viewing eye.
I shut, as it's faster, less distracting, for advantage of being quick, shooting pics. 😵💫🙏🏻🙏🏻🤓
Thankyou for this! I have never been enamoured with the galaxy and visiting other stellar bodies. I think our tax payer money would be better spent on this planet including getting to know our fellow inhabitants, including the tiny.
I have two and I never wear them out. I am so inspired, and will wear them as religiously as my earrings from now on. Thank you!!!
Over the years, I sometimes had two lenses on one cord. Now all are separate. I like the earnings analogy! (For so many years I've aspired to get a tattoo and a pierced ear -- I guess I'm still kinda "square.")
Hey Brian...I've been carrying a Hastings Triplet for a few decades, but about 7-8 years ago, I forgot it one day and tried flipping my 10x40 binocs "backwards" and VOILA! IT worked nearly as well. Since then, I've maybe busted out the hand lens 3 times b/c I'm pretty much always wearing my binocs. Just thought that might useful info for other binocular-carrying folks here. Great essay!
Absolutely! Thanks, Dan. I've done the same in pinch!
Definitely picking up another one of these or a few when I get back home!
I'll be looking forward to tiny views from Big Sky Country.