Spotting scopes are only helpful if you can keep them stable, so a tripod is a must. In fact, you want the best one you can afford: A better-built, more stable tripod will make it less frustrating to zoom in and out and adjust your focus.

To calculate the tripod height you need, work downward from the top of your head. Your eyes are about 4 to 5 inches from the top of your head. The scope eyepiece is about 4 inches above the bottom of the scope's mount plate, and the tripod head is about 4 to 4.5 inches high.

Hang something heavy below the legs, like a backpack or water bottle. Put a beanbag or a ziplock bag filled with sand or water over the top of the scope. In a high wind, make sure the tripod is positioned so exactly one leg points directly downwind. This makes it harder for the wind to tip your tripod over.

Fit the adapter to both your camera of choice and your spotting scope (be sure you have the correct adapter). Attach the spotting scope to its tripod in the usual manner. If you're hoping for some close-up bird shots, focus on a tree stump, branch, post, telephone wire etc. and wait for the bird to show up.