Recent discoveries http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8560000/8560694.stm have highlighted the need for higher-power optics. Experts estimate that within 35 years, warblers will have been reduced to the size of cicadas, and 10X binoculars will provide an image smaller than 7x optics do today. It seems likely also that higher humidity and increased pollution foreseen in the air will further degrade our views. Industry is feverishly working on new optics designs that will furnish the views necessary to enjoy our hobby without the inconveniences involved in halting the shrinkage. Bill Whan Columbus ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]