M101, the large face-on spiral galaxy in eastern Ursa Major, is notoriously difficult to see owing to its low surface brightness.  Look to the north of the end star in the handle of the Big Dipper (Alkaid) and east of the famous pair Alcor/Mizar.  Under dark skies, binoculars will show the galaxy as a faint glow.  Several other galaxies for small telescopes are nearby.  Two of these, NGC 5473 and NGC 5474, are on the Herschel 400i list, while the other one, NGC 5485, is on the Herschel 400ii observing list.  Unannotated view.