Your Wingscapes Birdcam that is. Specifically if you are heading to the mountains during a spring snow, and have a Nephew and Niece to entertain. Stopping off at the Wild Bird Center of Boulder for a hummingbird feeder didn't hurt either.
I continue to be amazed at the versatility of this little camera. I had no control over the position of the feeder in relation to the camera. In fact, I was lucky that the one hook I found was in a spot where I could set it up next to a pole for the camera mount. I was a bit concerned at first, the feeder was only a foot or so from the camera lens and the focusing guide only dials down to 18 inches, but after my first download I found plenty of good shots. A few rocks wedged in behind the camera helped the angle, and presto - Broad-tailed Hummingbird shots to look at every night!
I have to think that the little guys and gal, (female immediately above - note the spotted white throat and tan sides), were happy to find a feeder as the snow took wild nectar off the menu for a few days.
I have to think that the little guys and gal, (female immediately above - note the spotted white throat and tan sides), were happy to find a feeder as the snow took wild nectar off the menu for a few days.
The birdcam captured a couple of shots that really made a nice motion effect out of the wing beats.
Some parts blur softly...while others disappear - very cool.
Some parts blur softly...while others disappear - very cool.
I even had a chance to dive into the settings a bit deeper and got one result from activating the automated flash!
That forager was too early for breakfast. Area bear activity has the YMCA request that guests who do put out feeders remove them nightly to avoid attracting the less welcome visitors. Fortunately for other early scavenging hummers I didn't find that regulation until after the snowiest mornings, so by that time they may have had a few hardy flowers or a better chance of finding insects.
The feeder was so popular that even this House Finch decided to check it out. It may have just found the perch convenient for checking out the camera, they will try to build their nests on or around anything in my experience.
That forager was too early for breakfast. Area bear activity has the YMCA request that guests who do put out feeders remove them nightly to avoid attracting the less welcome visitors. Fortunately for other early scavenging hummers I didn't find that regulation until after the snowiest mornings, so by that time they may have had a few hardy flowers or a better chance of finding insects.
The feeder was so popular that even this House Finch decided to check it out. It may have just found the perch convenient for checking out the camera, they will try to build their nests on or around anything in my experience.
**For clarity, I am not receiving any compensation for endorsing either of the retailers referenced in this post. I own and use some of their products, but the links above do not represent any affiliation with them beyond my being a satisfied customer.**
Haven't stopped in lately and have been missing all these great posts. Sorry, will add you to my blog roll so that doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeleteGoing to check out this BirdCam, too. Looks like a lot of fun.
I love hummingbirds. They're so tiny & beautiful. Once in a while I see them in my yard, but it's hard to know when to put up the feeder, so I miss them often.
ReplyDeleteThe birdcams are fun, I am still learning the ropes, but am really enjoying the sights that it captures.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hummingbirds as well, and found out this weekend that their buxzzing wings are much louder when they are inches from the human ear!