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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > So I had a webcam and was bored the other day . . .

So I had a webcam and was bored the other day . . .
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alligator
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Jun 25, 2008, 08:51 PM
 
But I didn't do that! Get your mind out of the gutter.

Seriously, I decided to make a bird feeder, and mount my webcam to it so I could see what birds came by.

Here's the setup - the web cam is inside the flashlight housing to keep it dry.



And here are a few sample photos of the motion that was detected:





and of course:


For about $40 in supplies, it turned out rather well. See, there are *clean* things you can do with a cheap webcam.
     
turtle777
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Jun 25, 2008, 08:57 PM
 
What camera and software are you using ?

-t
     
Mastrap
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:18 PM
 
That's really cool. Reminds me of the guy who strapped a small camera to his cat.
     
Randman
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:20 PM
 
That's pretty neat.

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Rumor
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:26 PM
 
Do you have a book about the local birds in your area?
I like my water with hops, malt, hops, yeast, and hops.
     
Randman
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:30 PM
 
PS: That's not a bird in the last photo but still cool nevertheless.

And now, I feel less like wdlove for having pointed that out.

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Dakar the Fourth
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:50 PM
 
For some reason goat-se came to mind when I read the thread title.
     
turtle777
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:58 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
And now, I feel less like wdlove for having pointed that out.
How do you know how wdlove felt when he posted something blatantly obvious ?

-t
     
turtle777
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Jun 25, 2008, 09:59 PM
 
Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth View Post
For some reason goat-se came to mind when I read the thread title.
Wow, you got some messed up mind.

I was expecting YouTube.

-t
     
Randman
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Jun 25, 2008, 10:05 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
How do you know how wdlove felt when he posted something blatantly obvious ?

Dunno about how he felt, but too sugary of a post makes me think of him. Have to inject a little edginess less I lose my rep.

Wait, I have no rep.

Anyways, back on topic. You should make a video of all the feedings.

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Dakar the Fourth
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Jun 25, 2008, 10:17 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Wow, you got some messed up mind.
I believe the term is twisted, but yes.
     
RAzaRazor
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Jun 25, 2008, 10:31 PM
 
Those damn birds are stealing your squirrel food!
     
kman42
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Jun 25, 2008, 10:33 PM
 
Is it motion activated to take a snap?
     
MOTHERWELL
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Jun 25, 2008, 10:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
What camera and software are you using ?
I'd like to know as well because I would like to setup a security camera like this...
     
IceEnclosure
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Jun 26, 2008, 01:32 AM
 
and how long is that usb cable?!
ice
     
Spliff
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Jun 26, 2008, 01:52 AM
 
That looks like fun. If you're lazy, you can get the WINGSCAPES Birdcam for $250.



Photo Format JPG files, High 2048x1536, Med 1328x996, Low 640x480
Video Format AVI files, 640x480, 10sec@10fps
Image Output USB Out, TV Out, and SD card (optional)
Operational Modes AUTO, MANUAL, or TIMELAPSE (Remote Control works in all modes)
Built-in Memory 32 MB
Memory Card Up to 4 GB, with SD Card (optional)
Auto Timelapse Delay Variable: No Delay, 30sec, 1/2/5/10/20/30/45min, 1/4/6hr, Daily
Lens Field of View 52 degrees (~ 46mm focal length in film camera)
Focus 18 inches - infinity
Power Supply 4 D-cell Batteries or optional AC adapter
     
alligator  (op)
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:10 AM
 
It is connected to my PC because I don't mind leaving it on all the time (I would be afraid of overheating my MacBook Pro). It is running Yawcam software with a Logitech STX webcam.

I tried 32 feet of USB cable, but they were correct in saying USB is not rated for that distance. So now I have it running with 22 feet, which is over the stated maximum distance, but it still works.

It is only set up to snap a photo when motion is detected, but I may play around with the settings to capture a short video clip. Not bad for such a cheap project.
     
angelmb
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:32 AM
 
Beautiful

Originally Posted by RAzaRazor View Post
Those damn birds are stealing your squirrel food!
Funniest reply of the day.
     
starman
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Jun 26, 2008, 09:18 AM
 
This is neat, I've always wanted to do this but I have too many other projects.

How did you find Yawcam? I've never heard of it. I know there are a bunch of more popular motion-detection software packages out there.

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alligator  (op)
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Jun 26, 2008, 05:53 PM
 
Guess what I photographed today?

A white squirrel!

( Last edited by alligator; Jun 27, 2008 at 10:07 PM. )
     
ajprice
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Jun 26, 2008, 06:02 PM
 
Albino?

It'll be much easier if you just comply.
     
SSharon
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Jun 26, 2008, 06:11 PM
 
Have you ever tried using IveZeen for the Mac? it can capture video on motion and works will as a security camera.
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::maroma::
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Jun 26, 2008, 06:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by alligator View Post
guess What I Photographed Today?

A White Squirrel!

Its a ghost!!

(stupid NN forums and their anti-caps fascism)
     
osiris
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:08 PM
 
Great idea to put a camera in there!

I never saw an albino squirrel before. Nice pictures.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
turtle777
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:10 PM
 
Albino squirrel ? It's just a normal caucasian squirrel.

BS.

All the other squirrels are from da hood.

-t
     
Randman
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Albino squirrel ? It's just a normal caucasian squirrel.

BS.

All the other squirrels are from da hood.
1) It's annoying quoting you since you do that silly signature that is so 1995.

2) That was pretty unfunny and racist.

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turtle777
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Jun 26, 2008, 08:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
2) That was pretty unfunny and racist.
Oh for Pete's sakes, lighten up.

OF COURSE it's an Albino squirrel.

Geesh.

-t
     
Kvasir
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Jun 27, 2008, 10:24 AM
 
Wow, and the birds haven't ravaged the cable or the tie-wraps! My Meyers parrot would have disabled those long before even noticing the actual food nearby (she can strip cable faster then you can).

And personally, I, like Mr. Colbert do not see color in my fellow mammals, furry or otherwise.
     
@pplejaxkz
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Jun 27, 2008, 11:05 AM
 
Creative use of a webcam
     
calverson
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Jun 28, 2008, 11:33 AM
 
Originally Posted by alligator View Post
Guess what I photographed today?

A white squirrel!
Dude, that is a rat. You can tell by the red eyes.

Catch it though, and fedex it to me. I can feed it to my snake!
     
turtle777
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Jun 28, 2008, 01:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by calverson View Post
Dude, that is a rat. You can tell by the red eyes.


You are right. Duh.

White squirrel ? That's what happens when geeks turn into biologists.

-t
     
aristotles
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Jun 28, 2008, 04:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
2) That was pretty unfunny and racist.
Me thinks thou dost protest too much. Don't tell me, you have a "black" or asian token friend right?

If he wanted to be racist, he would have said something more blatant.
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turtle777
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Jun 28, 2008, 04:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by aristotles View Post
Me thinks thou dost protest too much. Don't tell me, you have a "black" or asian token friend right?

If he wanted to be racist, he would have said something more blatant.
I think it's racist that the white animal is a rat

-t
     
calverson
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Jun 28, 2008, 05:39 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Albino squirrel ? It's just a normal caucasian squirrel.

BS.

All the other squirrels are from da hood.

-t


This is not the subject of this thread (apparently it is for people who confuse rats/squirrels)

but

How could that possibly be viewed as racist, Randman???

It insults no one, nor does degrade any culture.

Just because a comment has to do with being black or white does not mean it is racist.

e.g. Demographics show that most of the people that live in nowheresville are African.

OMG NOW I AM A RACIST. Lame.

I live in South Africa, I was around for Aparthied. Trust me, I know racism.
     
calverson
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Jun 28, 2008, 05:47 PM
 
This is racism.

So anyway, seen any more interesting things in the wildlife webcam, alligator?
     
Randman
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Jun 28, 2008, 07:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by calverson View Post


This is not the subject of this thread (apparently it is for people who confuse rats/squirrels)

but

How could that possibly be viewed as racist, Randman???

It insults no one, nor does degrade any culture.

Just because a comment has to do with being black or white does not mean it is racist.

e.g. Demographics show that most of the people that live in nowheresville are African.

OMG NOW I AM A RACIST. Lame.

I live in South Africa, I was around for Aparthied. Trust me, I know racism.
Some people do not get sarcasm, I take it.

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turtle777
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Jun 28, 2008, 07:33 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
Some people do not get sarcasm, I take it.
What kind of sarcasm did he not get ?

Care to point it out ?

-t
     
calverson
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Jun 28, 2008, 07:58 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
1) It's annoying quoting you since you do that silly signature that is so 1995.

2) That was pretty unfunny and racist.
Doesnt read like sarcasm to me...

Sar-Casm:
noun
the use of irony to mock or convey contempt
     
Randman
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Jun 28, 2008, 08:15 PM
 
OK, for those who didn't get it.

Turtle made a comment about the critters. In friendly jest.

I made a post, in friendly jest, pretending to be angry about turtle's comments.

Silly people then read the thread and thought I was serious. Then when explaining what I had attempted to do, I had to go through and write it down in steps in the hopes that people get that I was being facetious.

Sheesh.

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turtle777
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Jun 28, 2008, 08:26 PM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
1) It's annoying quoting you since you do that silly signature that is so 1995.
2) That was pretty unfunny and racist.
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
I made a post, in friendly jest, pretending to be angry about turtle's comments.
Rrrrright.

You should work on your "friendly jest" style. It's neither jesty, nor funny, nor sarcasmy.

-t
     
Randman
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Jun 28, 2008, 09:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Rrrrright.

You should work on your "friendly jest" style. It's neither jesty, nor funny, nor sarcasmy.
You should talk.

-R

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KeriVit
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Jul 6, 2008, 01:10 AM
 
Any new pics this week?
     
alligator  (op)
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Jul 6, 2008, 03:39 PM
 
Just a few more, but mostly the same visitors:









and one of the more interesting shots of a bird:
     
   
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