There is no way I can sit and watch my feeder 24/7 or even just during daylight hours. I needed an automated device to record the activity at the feeder. I could have used my video camera from inside the window. With the video camera, I would get a few hours of recording before the media filled to capacity or the batteries were expended. That wasn't going to work. I could purchase the hardware and software to allow my Nikon to capture images in a time lapse fashion. That would be costly.
I remembered seeing on the web somewhere, a programmable time lapse camera that is small, weather proof and under $150.00. I did some research and purchased from Amazon a Brinno TLC 100 and a Fat Gecko Single Suction Cup Camera Mount, all for under $200.00. I ordered both on a Friday and they arrived on Wednesday.
I opened the Brinno package and read the manual. Windows operating system is needed to program the camera. I only own Apple computers. I have always only owned Macs. My children own Macs. Without Windows I was unable to change the application or the time stamp in the camera. I would figure out something later. For the present, I would only use the camera default time intervals and live with the wrong time stamp.
The camera was larger than I thought it would be. From the images I saw online I thought it was 3" tall. I made the above image to give you an idea of the size of the camera. I have large hands. If I stretch out my hand, from the tip of my small finger to the tip of my thumb is close to 10". The actual dimensions of the camera are 3.66" x 7.55" x 2.08".
Included in the package were four Panasonic AA batteries and a 2GB USB flash drive.
The back of the TLC 100 has a locking mechanism that closes securely. Once open, the batteries easily slipped into the appropriate holders.
It was time to choose the time intervals between exposures. I originally chose time setting #2 or five minute intervals. After one day of exposures I removed the flash drive and viewed the video. I caught only two exposures of a squirrel. That meant the squirrel was at the feeder more than five minutes but less than fifteen. That was not enough exposures for me. I changed the intervals to time setting #7 which is factory set at 5 seconds.
The flash drive is then inserted, the back is locked on and the camera is ready for service.
I didn't want the camera on a tripod inside the window for various reasons. I purchased a camera mount with a suction cup to mount the camera outside to my breakfast room window.
The Brinno has a threaded socket to accept a standard 1/4-20 machine screw. The Fat Gecko has a standard 1/4-20 stud to mount the camera.
I was now ready to place the camera outside on the window. I cleaned the window to make the glass as smooth as possible for the best suction.
The suction cup was then placed on the glass and locked in position. I adjusted the mount so the camera was pointed at the feeder and locked all the adjustable handles and locking rings. I measured the distance from the camera to the feeder and placed the focus dial a the closest setting 20" - macro.
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| View from inside the breakfast room |
I activated the power and the exposures began.
