| Bird Cams
are easy to implement and use with i-Catcher
Wildlife.
Many different methods can be employed to get great
results, so lets have a look at the basics. A Computer running i-Catcher Wildlife
In order to use i-Catcher you need a computer. Any modern
PC should be good enough, see our equipment
page. We prefer to
use NT4/2000 or XP as it is more stable than the earlier
versions of windows. If you are planning on using a USB
camera, you must have a free USB port on your computer.
You can download i-Catcher, either Sentry or Wildlife
from this web site.
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Camera
(connected to your Computer)
There are many different cameras on the market and nearly
all can be used with i-Catcher. If you use a USB device
then be aware that you have limitations with the length
of cable used and the useable distance of the camera.
Very goods results can be obtained, but for the most
flexibility use a card that gives you a direct video
input. Most TV cards have this facility, otherwise a
dedicated capture card is required. Digital and analogue
camcorders can give very good results when connected to a
suitable card, check that your camera does not 'auto
power off' if you intend to use it permanently.Suitable Camera Location
The first choice is to decide whether to have your camera
indoors or outside. If you have a USB camera then the
indoor shots through a window should really be no more
that 12 inches distant. This would mean moving your bird
table right up to the window. Alternatively if you have a
digital camera or camcorder then you can take pictures
within a 20 meter radius, providing you have a good
optical zoom. If you want to place cameras permanently
outside then they must be waterproof, either a dedicated
outdoor security camera (with a good resolution and lens)
or a modified USB camera. I have seen many different
waterproofing methods in use, and many of them involve
the use of cling film, which works well, just make sure
if you use a USB extension lead that the connections are
fully protected. If you are using a USB camera, after
waterproofing, cover it from the worst of the elements
using something like a piece of slate or tile, that way
it should last.
Some Birds
In order to get good pictures you need good birds. Keep
your birds well fed and read up on good bird table
manners and you should have no problems getting the
pictures like the ones featured in the Wildlife
Gallery. Some of
the best pictures here were obtained by placing an Intel
USB web cam, via a extension lead, outside on a path. The
addition of some seeds and nuts were all that was needed,
in one weekend we had great pictures of 12 species of
birds, as well as voles and mice.
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