10/15/13

Bird Brain Camera

My long-awaited bird cam arrived yesterday. Before leaving for work this morning, Mike mounted it on the pole where the feeders hang. The most interesting bird hanging out at the feeders right now is the Northern Flicker.


They come for the suet cakes I provide, so I asked Mike to mount the camera for viewing the suet feeder. It attaches to the pole with a long arm that has an easily adjustable ball head (purchased separately).


Of course, my trusty sidekick accompanied me on this morning's doings.


The camera has a cover over the front. When it's opened, you can see all the adjustment knobs and switches.


I adjusted the focus using the tape measure that came with it to measure the distance from lens to feeder.

It also has a laser light to use for positioning it.


One can also peer through the viewfinder as with any camera.


And there is also an electronic viewing screen where you can check your positioning with a test photo. Yeah, you'll have to take my word for it. There actually is an image behind my reflection in the picture below.


So, once I was satisfied that everything was set up correctly, I went to fill the sunflower seed tube and the peanut feeder. In the space of about a minute, look who showed up!


I hope he knows enough to smile for his picture.

And all of that walking around filling bird feeders pretty much wore Smitty out.


Not to mention working up a powerful appetite for some bird a l'orange. 


Today's NP4 protest image was taken in May, 2006, in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, when we rented a Jeep and drove the Schafer Canyon Loop Road...a very worthwhile endeavor if you ever find yourself in Moab, Utah. And if you've been to Moab, Utah, then you know that the town practically depends on nearby Canyonlands and Arches National Parks for its very existence. It's my understanding that the Utah legislature will hold a special session in order to reopen Utah's many national parks. It's a good thing because the town of Moab and the parks are a national treasure. People are losing their livelihoods in this process. Congress: Vote on a CR. End the shutdown. Power to the People!


So, I think I've messed around long enough this morning. If I'm going to get any quilting done, I'd better get going on it.

15 comments:

gpc said...

What a beautiful bird. I've never seen one up close. I hope the People remember that, even if it seems like we don't have much Power today, we can show how really strong we are if we can vote with our memories. Congress is not the only group that can shut stuff down.

Marti said...

Nice! I hope it takes photos even half as good as you do with your regular camera. What kind is it?

WoolenSails said...

That is really cool, can't wait to see what photos you get and how it works.

Debbie

Junebug613 said...

Just getting caught up on my reading! That camera looks neat! Can't wait to see who comes to visit!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

That bird is so unusual, the markings are something I would have expected in a modern art painting of a bird. Very pretty.

quiltzyx said...

Yay! The bird cam is up!! Ain't technology grand?

Smitty, you're gorgeous, as usual, in the sunshine!

Tami C said...

Good that you have the Bird Cam up and running. I'm sure you'll get some great pictures. As always.... Power to the People!

Dana Gaffney said...

I wonder if Smitty is worried about a spy camera in the yard.

Lyndsey said...

Great photo via the bird cam. Just made my husband a little jealous showing him your post. I wonder what I can get him for Christmas???

Anonymous said...

Love the Flickers, how lucky you are to have a camera set up like that.

Heidi said...

Lovin the birdcam - SOO cool!!

Brown Family said...

I can not wait to see all your bird photos!

Kate said...

Very cool camera. Looking forward to seeing your new bird view photos.

Michele said...

Very cool. Can't wait to see more of your visiters.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Love the flicker photo...and the bird cam idea!