The combination of Nikon Coolpix digital camera and birding scope permits a level of magnification that can't be achieved in any other way to my knowledge.

The quality of images is quite outstanding considering they are generated digitally and through a scope.

These shots are samples and comparisons that outline what can be achieved.

marsh
The shot above, taken with a 35mm SLR and a 300mm f4 lens shows the cormorant on the left (in the red square).

From the same viewpoint in a hide at Martin Mere the image below was made using a Nikon Coolpix 950 and an Optolyth scope + 30x WW eyepiece.

More digipix
cormorant