The region around mu Hydrae (binoculars) has several interesting objects.

To the east, in the same field of vision, is the brighter star nu Hydrae. Just to the northwest of this star is the fine binary Struve 1474, a fine triple of seventh magnitude stars. There is a neighbouring binary of eighth magnitude stars, Struve 1473, just to the south half a degree, making this region a fine telescopic sight.

Two degrees south of mu Hydrae (thus in the same field of vision of this star) is the deep sky object NGC 3242, a ninth magnitude planetary nebula sometimes called "The Ghost of Jupiter". Medium sized telescopes show a round greenish object.

Now moving over to nu Hydrae, you'll see a much brighter star to the southeast. This is alpha Crateris. Nu Hydrae is in fact nearly on the border with Crater. It's more convenient at this point to hop briefly into Crater to continue your descent down the Hydra's back.

Placing alpha Crateris at the northern edge of your glasses, you'll see a similarly bright star to the southeast, beta Crateris: binoculars.