I often hear the comment, but the iPad has soooo many more apps than an Android tablet. While this may be true for gaming and music, if your tablet usage equates to other kinds of information consumption, this example of Bufflehead Ducks and Red-Winged Blackbirds via iBird Pro is an indication where avoiding Apple's closed environment for the world of Google is to your advantage ... and cheaper still!
Some background, whenever I take a bike ride, my DSLR camera is always with me. Remember, the adage, if you don't have your camera, you'll NEVER get the picture! Given our long Winter in Minnesota, even though it is just a few days shy of May 1st, snows is still on the ground, and the lakes are socked in with ice. Thus, whenever there is a bit of open water, even 30 yards between the shoreline and the ice sheet, the birds flock to these areas. In addition, birds that should be approaching the Canadian sub Arctic to spend the Summer, and stuck in Minnesota. Thus, it is with the Bufflehead Duck. These shy birds have paused their migration near my home. Using my camera seat as my tripod, I took the photo shown below.
While Red-Winged Blackbirds are a common sight, at this time of year they are trying to attrack a mate. Thus, another neat photo opportunity using my bike as a photo taking platform. With respect to the blackbirds, I knew what kind of bird I was viewing, but with Mr. Bufflehead, I had no idea what was the subject of my photos except the duck was not common to these parts. Enter my iBird Pro Android tablet app. (post continued below the bird photos with iBird screenshots and comments)
(click upon either image to view at full size and resolution)
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Now some information on the identification of Mr. Bufflehead using iBird Pro
(click to view any of these six screenshots at full size / resolution)
- Enter Galley Mode ... Whoa ... Way to many birds! (923)
- Press <Search> to Select and Apply some Filters
(screenshots for #1 and #2)
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- My selections:
- Habitat: "Lakes, Rivers & Ponds" and "Marches, Swamps"
- Shape: "Duck-like"
- Location: "Minnesota"
(screenshots for #3)
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- I now reapply my search and a very management number of ducks appears - 32
- More importantly, I quickly identify Mr. Bufflehead!
(screenshots for #4 and #5)
This is just one example of why your knee jerk reaction when shopping for a tablet should be an iPad. I hope you can appreciate that even if you are not an expert bird watches, iBird Pro walks the user through an easy process which yields a positive identification. Thus, next time you'be able to know the answer to the question, what bird is that?
You may wish to see my other posts in this series of Google Nexus 10 Android Tablet Reviews.
- Honeywell Minus iPad = Nexus 10
- Nexus 10: In Depth Review
- Northern Lights Alerts & Monitoring via the Nexus 10
- Nexus 10: Follow Up Review
- Creating True HDR Photos on your Android Tablet | Nexus 10
