Every Monday it's time to feature a reader's question, and this week Anna from New Mexico asks...

"I just bought my first spotting scope (which my husband says will be every birthday and Christmas gift for the next 10 years) and I want to keep it in great shape. How should I care for it?"

Spotting scopes are made for somewhat rugged outdoor use and can withstand a lot of handling and even minor mishaps, but if you follow proper spotting scope care for use and storage you can do a lot to protect your scope and keep its view pristine. Be sure you have great cleaning accessories, such as a lens brush and microfiber cleaning cloth, and invest in a good quality tripod and storage case. With just a bit of care, you'll be enjoying your scope for far more than 10 years!

Do you have a birding question you'd like answered? Submit it to Mailbag Monday, or review the recent question archive to see what other birders have been asking!

Microfiber Lens Cloth
Photo © brett jordan