Introducing: Robert Wilson, Digiscoper

Hi! I’m Robert Wilson. I’ve been digiscoping—attaching my camera or smart phone to my spotting scope—for three and half years, after a 30 year career as a staff photographer for Lockheed Martin. Stumbling upon a scope a month after retiring, it has become my preferred method for photographing birds and other wildlife—my new passion. Extended focal lengths, minimizing my impact on wildlife, and the challenge of manual focus are what attracts me to digiscoping. My greatest joy these days is sharing a view through my Kowa 883 scope, or through my Iphone 6S+ while attached to the scope.

Here is my first gallery on Out There With The Birds,—a selection of what is possible when using a camera or phone attached to a Kowa 883 scope. Digiscoping totally immerses the photographer in the natural world. It has turned me into an avid birder. Viewing birds at great distances is the real enjoyment of using Kowa optics. Photographing them is the bonus.

Robert Wilson—Me!

Here's an action shot of me digiscoping at the Biggest Week in American Birding, at Magee Marsh in northern Ohio in 2016. I love the clarity and image quality of the Kowa 883 scope combined with a Micro 4/3 camera. A sturdy tripod and video head along with a remote shutter release are essential to capturing sharp photos of birds. Check out the gallery, and I'll show you what this rig can do.

Tundra Swan

Tundra swan, Yellowstone River. The natural world has come alive since discovering high-quality optics and digiscoping. Witnessing and capturing natural behaviors is more likely when you are far from your subjects.

Bald Eagle

Capturing the grandeur of the bald eagle is an awesome experience. Focal lengths of 1000 – 3000mm are possible using a micro 4/3 camera attached to the Kowa 883 scope. Digiscoping is a deliberate technique, but well worth the patience required.

American White Pelican

American white pelicans are my favorite winter bird at my home base in central Florida. Much larger than their cousins, brown pelicans, and with different feeding habits, white pelicans are cool to watch. I love the feather detail that photographing through my spotting scope allows.

Tree Swallow

Digiscoping has helped me become a better birder, allowing me to see things I never noticed before. Nuances of behavior are much more noticeable through a scope. Even common birds, like this tree swallow, are more fun to watch through a scope. A sturdy tripod is essential to capturing sharp images when digiscoping.

American Bittern

You might think I was eye to eye with an American bittern, but I was not. Seeing birds at great distances is one of my fascinations with digiscoping. The Kowa 25 – 60 zoom eyepiece allows for crystal-clear views of distant birds. It's the best scope I've ever used. Birding—and photographing birds—with a scope really does minimize our impact on the creatures we love and admire.

Black Skimmer Nest

This black skimmer nest, and many others, are on a heavily travelled beach in south Florida, and roped off for their protection. Their survival depends on not being disturbed. Digiscoping allows me to stay respectfully far from nesting birds, thus minimizing my impact. I often zoom my scope to 60X when photographing nesting birds.

Cattle Egret

Mating season is a magical time in the world of birds. It’s the time of year when birds such as this cattle egret come alive with color to attract a mate. I’m fortunate to have several large rookeries close to my house. Watching the miracle of life unfold as birds mate, watching the patience required during incubation, then seeing little heads in the nest, and then gangly chicks getting their first look at the world—am I lucky, or what? Through my scope, they might not even notice me.

Flight Shots

Flight shots can be challenging when digiscoping, but they're not impossible. I get my best results by prefocusing on a perched bird and then following through on focus when it takes off.

Osprey with Fish

Digiscoping requires more planning and patience than conventional photography. That is part of the appeal to me. It is much more satisfying when a shot comes together. I knew this osprey was going to land on a nearby perch after observing it for quite some time. I prefocused on where I suspected he would land. I am quite happy with the results.

Great Gray Owl

This image of a great gray owl, digiscoped in Yellowstone National Park in 2016, illustrates the amazing light-gathering properties of a scope. I am still amazed at the quality of images such as this one, photographed at dusk. The Kowa 883 scope makes images in near dark come alive. Capturing such a great image of a "life bird" was a moment I'll never forget.

Fish for Lunch

I was far from this osprey nest when dad brought lunch for mom and the kids. Digiscoping has given me privileged access to witness special moments of bird behavior. The techniques of conventional photography, such as composition, lighting, and peak action, still apply, but being so far away allows for more natural behavior, undisturbed.

Barred Owl

Whooo knew? Owls have become one of my favorite subjects since retiring four years ago and discovering my new passion for birds and digiscoping. I don’t think I would be as interested in birding if not for my Kowa scope and binoculars. To feel like I am eye to eye with a barred owl—such crystal clarity—is almost a spiritual experience.

Great Blue Heron

Watching great blue herons mate and nest is what got me interested in birds shortly after retiring. What a privilege to witness such intimate behavior, and through my scope, I can watch without disturbing them. When photographing nests, it is critical to keep a respectful distance. Never clear vegetation around a nest for a better view, or otherwise have a negative impact on vulnerable little ones.

About the Author
 Robert Wilson has been digiscoping for three and half years after a 30 year career as a staff photographer for Lockheed Martin. Stumbling upon a spotting scope a month after retiring, digiscoping has become his preferred method for photographing wildlife and birds … his new passion. Extended focal lengths, minimal impact to wildlife and the challenge of manual focus are all what attracts Robert to digiscoping. His greatest joy these days is sharing a view through his Kowa 883 scope, or his Iphone 6S+ while attached to the scope. He is currently the Kowa US Brand Ambassador for Kowa Sporting Optics US. Robert lives in Daytona Beach, Florida, with his wife Tobey.