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Like any bird enthusiast, I look forward to the change of seasons to enjoy migrating birds, but contending with the harsh winter weather where I live in the northeast makes a hand warmer a must-have item to see parades of amazing high-flying travelers.

I don’t let the below zero temps derail my mission to see birds. Instead, I prepare.

Cold Hands and Missed Opportunities

Once when intoBirds was leading a bird walk in New Canaan, Connecticut, in 20-degree temperatures, my hand hands became so cold I didn’t have feeling in my fingers to move the focusing ring on my binoculars to get a clear view of the birds.

And I could barely operate my camera’s shutter when we came across two Red-tailed Hawks.

Red-tailed Hawk perched on top of tree in New Canaan, CT

Myr Freehands shooting gloves didn’t provide my hands with the warmth they needed to stay nimble to operate my camera or binoculars because the gloves lacked Thinsulate.

Big oversight on my part.

My blueish fingers made for an uncomfortable day bird watching.

I didn’t let the bad weather derail bird watching and decided to get a USB hand warmer that I could use on our next walk.

And a new pair of Thinsulate shooting gloves.

Ie wanted a hand warmer small enough to keep in my pocket to stay accessible.

And since I wear woman’s extra-small gloves the device needed to fit my tiny hands.

Hand Warmer Keeps Your Hands Toasty

After doing a great deal of research, I went to True to Source and grabbed the Human Creations EnergyFlux Ellipse Rechargeable Hand Warmer.

EnergyFlux Ellipse

The EnergyFlux Ellipse measures 3.46 x 2.5 x 0.98 inches and weighs just under 7 ounces.

The hand warmer looks like an oversized lighter.

And it comfortably fits in my jacket pocket without being bulky.

Its small size makes it easy to grip in my small hands to warm all my fingers.

And it comfortably accommodates a man’s larger hands too.

The EnergyFlux Ellipse warms on both sides of the unit to keep my hands toasty, and it has two heat settings 107 F (~6.5 hrs) and 118F (~5 hrs) in room temperature.

On those cold days when you are out of the field bird watching it does its job warming up quickly.

I’ve used the device this winter in bitter cold temps, and my hands felt warm and comfy in no time.

I was able to handle the focusing ring on my binoculars and operate my camera’s shutter button with ease.

Human Creations claims it’s a rechargeable 5200mAh lithium-ion battery with up to 500 recharges.

I haven’t come close to that many recharges, but I’ve fully recharged the unit at least twenty times , and it keeps its charge and does the job.

READ: Merlin Bird App Makes Birds ID a Snap

EnergyFlux Ellipse is a snap to use. One button controls the device and it’s easy to switch between high and low heat

Easy to Use in the Field

One button controls the device. I just press and hold the button until the LEDs light up and with one quick press of the button I can switch between high and low heat.

The red LED will flash to indicate the Ellipse is warming—slow for low heat, and fast for high heat.

Blue LEDs will let you know how much power is left.

The Ellipse also charges other digital products, including mobile phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras, etc. and is good to have in a pinch.

LEDs on the Ellipse will indicate that it’s charging and how much power is left.

It’s also easy to check the battery level anytime: just give the button a quick press, and the LEDs will light up to show battery status.

No Excuses When Pursuing a Snowy Owl

I relied on the Ellipse on a brutally cold day in Connecticut in my quest to see a Snowy Owl.

Not only was it 15 degrees that day on Long Beach in Stratford, Connecticut, but there was a wind alert.

Not taking the wind alert seriously in my quest, I set out to see the Snowy and as soon as I got out of my car looking for the owl, the wind ripped through my layers, and I was chilled to the bone.

EnergyFlux Ellipse helped us endure brutally cold winds to photograph the Snowy Owl on the beach in CT

After spotting the Snowy Owl in the marsh, I tried to balance my camera in the strong gusts of wind, maintained my grip and keep my balance as the wind blew me from side to side.

My fingers felt frozen even with two pairs of gloves on, but the Ellipse warmed my hands quickly so I could get the feeling back in my fingertips before the Snowy flew off.

And I got the shot!