A visitor in the night.

[Neil]

Two weeks ago the farmer where I do my bird photography told me that a bowl that had kitchen scraps in it and setup at a feeding station had been overturned on the previous three nights. The suspect was a badger or fox both present on the farm, I purchased two infrared lights for my Sony video camera (cost for the two £90). I set up my laptop with motion detection software and with my video camera attached. I checked all was working and left after dark, early the next morning I arrived full of anticipation and excitement to see what we had captured. What a lovely surprise to see a lovely feral ginger tomcat stealing the food. Well better luck next time.

[The Woodman]

What IR lights did you buy Neil and what motion detection software do you use?

[Wild-Woman]

He he! Never mind, now you have the software, camera and lights, I'm sure you'll come across other night-time creatures.Then you can show what you've captured to us.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

What IR lights did you buy Neil and what motion detection software do you use?

Hi
Sony HVL – IRM Infra-red NightShot light for Handycams with accessory shoe adaptor. I would not recommend it, Sony claim 30 meters I was only 3 and with two lights it was only just enough. granted it was a cloudy night. Also the lights are spot lights and not flood. I have now got a flood infrared lamp off EBay with sixty degrees coverage; it requires a power supply or car battery to operate but is very good at £37 including delivery (seven days).
The software is Active webcam at about £15 pounds it will support multiple cameras USB or fire-wire cameras when motion is detected it will email you play a sound take a photo or video. I did upgrade it for another £15 to give me AVI video for editing and also if the program hangs it will re start the program. I did play with other programs but for my needs this was the best in my opinion. The video camera I used was a Sony with a night shot function a normal webcam can be used but my camera gives a top class video; the video was recorded to the laptop hard drive using the software. hope this is OK for you, if you want other info just let me know. Neil

[The Woodman]

Thanks Neil, that's very useful. You confiirmed what I had been told about the Sony IR, so I bought a 930nm 30 degree LED unit fro a specialist firm in the States ( after many unsuccessful bids on EBay!) and am very happy with it. It has limitations, but for a small unit that will last weeks on a 12v 7aH, I've had a lot of use from it this year.

I will investigate your recommended software, it sounds just the job. I love my Handycam and agree, for it's size, the quality of image is excellent.

Thanks for the info.

[m1.carson]

Hi neil,

Good try, but two things spring to mind, leaving a laptop lying around sounds like an open invitation, and have you considered condensation forming in it overnight.

Luck,

Max.