Cam Birds
March 14, 2016 9:56 AM Subscribe
What's the current available technology for relatively-low-cost high-tech wildlife watching?
I have a couple of very popular birdfeeders and hummingbird feeders (and Squirrel Jerks, and Hummingbird Soap Operas all day every day), and periodically I think "I wish I could watch these from my office" and "I wish I had video so it'd be easier to do bird ID" and "I know people who would totally watch this too". It's really soothing.
What would I want to use if I did that? The feeders are under a patio roof, where it's not inside-dry in our rare weather events, but it's not completely exposed, and there's electricity and wifi. I have the means to hang or mount things.
I don't have a real budget for this, with the exception that I might consider spending something more than pocket change on gear that my husband (who is a jack-of-all-video-production-trades) could take on location some days to use in his arsenal, but we are talking $100ish total.
We do have a smattering of retired iOS devices laying around the house, and maybe an old laptop, a Samsung tablet, and I would totally use those if there's a good way. But also what's the modern version of a webcam that's not a $200 Dropcam? Is there a thing? Does it have sound? Do people still put these things on the internet, and if so where? Is there a Twitch, but for birdwatchers?
We are very technical people, but I think we might be hopeless GenXers who don't understand the kids and their tumblrs and whatever technology is new and hot for people taking their clothes off at each other, which I assume is pretty much the same technology you'd use to watch live nude birds.
I have a couple of very popular birdfeeders and hummingbird feeders (and Squirrel Jerks, and Hummingbird Soap Operas all day every day), and periodically I think "I wish I could watch these from my office" and "I wish I had video so it'd be easier to do bird ID" and "I know people who would totally watch this too". It's really soothing.
What would I want to use if I did that? The feeders are under a patio roof, where it's not inside-dry in our rare weather events, but it's not completely exposed, and there's electricity and wifi. I have the means to hang or mount things.
I don't have a real budget for this, with the exception that I might consider spending something more than pocket change on gear that my husband (who is a jack-of-all-video-production-trades) could take on location some days to use in his arsenal, but we are talking $100ish total.
We do have a smattering of retired iOS devices laying around the house, and maybe an old laptop, a Samsung tablet, and I would totally use those if there's a good way. But also what's the modern version of a webcam that's not a $200 Dropcam? Is there a thing? Does it have sound? Do people still put these things on the internet, and if so where? Is there a Twitch, but for birdwatchers?
We are very technical people, but I think we might be hopeless GenXers who don't understand the kids and their tumblrs and whatever technology is new and hot for people taking their clothes off at each other, which I assume is pretty much the same technology you'd use to watch live nude birds.
Here are links to a bunch of nest and feeder cams. You could probably find information on the equipment they are using somewhere on the sites.
posted by jkent at 12:28 PM on March 14, 2016
posted by jkent at 12:28 PM on March 14, 2016
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We've only had it up for a week, but I like the results. Here's a picture of a sneaky bunny hopping away from our birdfeeder.
posted by chevyvan at 10:23 AM on March 14, 2016 [4 favorites]