I wasn't going to post anything today because I wanted the day off, like everyone else. Then I remembered I just shot 15 minutes of Mr. Snacks with a new Wifi camera I'm testing out (for potentially live streaming the owls.)
Trying to figure out how to live stream excellent quality video from an outdoor, nighttime camera is proving to be - a challenge. Not a hair pulling disaster mind you. Just a teensy challenge. Except huge.
I knew the first cameras I bought were going to be incompatible or inept in some way even though they seemed perfect.
My first purchase was a $37 Wyze telephoto wifi 1080 security camera which I chose because it works on wifi, has a telephoto lens (as opposed to the normal wide angle lens that security cameras have).
I also bought a Wyze v3 Pro 2K security camera which is a regular wide angle lens.
The quality is O.K., and it could be great quality if I really pushed it with a few more mesh extenders for my router.
But these particular cameras can't be live streamed without screwing around adding special firmware and hacked twizzles & bridges. I know. I don't entirely understand either which is why I won't be using these cameras for the owls.
For really good quality video I probably need an outdoor IP camera that I can wire straight into my router, she said as their eyes glazed over.
However I think these little cameras are going to be a perfect replacement for my old and now obsolete Arlo security cameras.
If you're an Arlo security camera user and you haven't heard, Arlo has shut down. And you're going to need to find a new security camera system.
Wyze OG Telephoto
Sorry for the stock photo, but it's after 1 a.m. and my own camera is outside on top of my pergola facing the owl house. There are possibly skunks and definitely raccoons out there. Also I'd have to move and I don't want to.
This is what it looks like. A very small cube with a tilting, swiveling head.
FACTS
- Hooked up easily to my wifi.
- They are tiny & really cute. Very nice design.
- NOT battery operated, you need a power source. (for me this is a plus because I got really sick of constantly recharging my Arlos)
- 1080 picture quality, the Wyze v3 Pro is 2K
- Excellent night vision - The night vision is so good it's in colour, not black and white.
- Must pay a $25 per year subscription to record video with the camera.
- Wyze has had a couple of BIG security breaches with their cameras with other people being able to view the footage
O.K., you don't care, even I don't care. Let's take a look at my first trial run at what a live stream would look like.
The last 15 minutes of Snacks' morning before he heads out to go hunting for the night. And hopefully come home to in the morning. You never can tell with owls.
If after watching that video you don't think you'd ever watch the live stream let me know. And do so before this little challenge makes my frontal lobe cry shrivel up.
I would absolutely spend time watching a Snacks cam. So appreciate the updates!
I won’t watch a live stream. But I appreciate the offer.
Yes I will watch. Thank you!
Dear Karen, I love your posts, I love your owl, but unless you figure out how to speed up your live streaming video post, it’s like watching paint dry!, I don’t think I can sit through another live stream of Mr. Owl, sorry Mr. snack! Sorry, I love the story, but that’s a lot to sit through!
Joy
I will watch. No doubt. I couldn't find the film you put on but I will always watch. I love owls.
As a fan of multiple Eagle cams, I would love to see highlights of Mr. and Mrs. Snacks. By the way, that is a neat tree that the owl house is mounted on, what kind of tree is it?
HI Kelley! That's a Weeping False Nootka Cypress. I love it too. ~ karen!
I love YT since I can watch when I want to so if having Mr. Snacks live requires giving up my freedom - I probably wouldn't watch live but do love to see the video you have posted. Maybe they are just checking out the action to determine if it stays safe enough to raise a brood. He really is cute!
Hi Karen,
Happy belated Easter! I hope your Marshmallow Fruit Salad was devoured for Easter dinner. I haven't made it yet but I will and not necessarily for Easter but just because.
I love the updates on the owl box and the live feed of Mr. Snacks. Have there been anymore recent sighting of Mrs. Snacks? I really hope they both stay for awhile afterall, it has been ten years in the making since you put up the box. Here's to crossing all my fingers and other extremities!
No Mrs. Snacks that I can see! And yes indeed the marshmallow salad was devoured! ~ karen!
I got hooked on these Wyze cameras when my husband put 5
them in different rooms in our house (I was adamantly against the idea). It was so we could keep track of our cats when we were gone. They have a cat door they can go out of any time and I wanted to make sure I saw each of them occasionally. I can pick up each room anytime, night or day on my phone, tablet, or desktop. They very rarely don't work, usually after a power outage. For the cost, they are terrific.
It is really cool that you will be able to see Mr and Mrs Snack any time, any where you are.
For the folks who cannot see the video/link, try changing browsers. I was using Chrome and saw nothing :)
Then I tried the same URL in Microsoft Edge and it worked!
Very cool set up, Karen!
VERY cool!!!
At the start, I could swear Snacks was staring down the camera contemplating breakfast.
I'd watch. Who doesn't love a livestream? :)
I don't see a link anywhere to watch the video.
Karen, please take pity on an old woman who really, really wants to see the video and despite all attempt have not achieved a damn thing. Please help.
I used to watch ( even at work) the Peregrine Falcons nesting in Columbus, Oh. but the program ended. Then I found a wonderful videographer in Scottsdale area who documented her Great Horned Owls but she moved to La Jolla. All of this is to say, I'll gladly tune in but I may be the kiss of death for you; I don't want to jinx your efforts as my track record is littered with bird feathers!
Is there supposed to be a video here? I surely can't find it though.
Sounds like a good one.
Yes, I will watch and watch and watch and watch. Well you get the idea.
Yes, I will watch. You will have many people watching them and it will be at all hours. For yrs I watched the Decorah Eagles starting with the first nest with a camera on it. Followers checked the site in the middle of the night to basically watch the eagles sleep or ward of intruders on occasion. Even an owl box will have people checking in to hopefully see them. I also had a Barn Owl box and one year they raised three owlets. It was wonderful to watch the whole beginning for these owlets until they all fledged and left. That was very hard to watch and hope they would return but they were out in the world and doing owl things. This will be great watching your owls. I learned that activity around the box part of the yard when they were deciding where to nest the following year wasn't to their liking and they went elsewhere. I'm pretty sure the direct eye contact I had with the female when she was back hanging out in the box for a few days was too much...she left and neither her or the male came back to the box.
Of course I will watch. 😃
I have been a long time watcher of live stream Bald Eagles, from the BC coast all the way to the Catalina Islands. While the Eagles are a bit more exciting to watch I would be happy to pop in every now and again to watch your backyard owls. Especially if they lay eggs and they hatch. You have a great area for the owls and fantastic trees for the big event of branching when the young hatchlings are ready to pop out of the nest to start learning to fly. live stream animal and bird watching is totally addictive!
I confess to speeding through the live stream to see the 'action' shots. I would watch little blips of action but probably not Mr. or Mrs. Snacks just sitting and looking out for lengthy periods of time. When I put my Mac on full screen he became a little pixelated, but was still a joy to watch. So very excited that you're sharing this with us!