New Trail Camera-first results.

[hotspur]

I picked up a new trail camera about a week ago from a retail outlet in Toowoomba,it is a more advanced model than my other cams.It is made in U.S.A -a 'Reconyx HC600,and not exactly an inexpensive trail cam.But its very well made,and much more options than my others-the menu options and functionality is a dream.

So I put it out last monday for a basic test,I do like quality results,so set the high quality night time menu options,and put the cam close to target area-some offal in the middle of a graziers paddock.Over the 5 nights it was out,I captured some images of crows (lots and lots),a pair of Whistling Kites,and one male dingo came in at 4 am yesterday morning.

I have now removed the cam from the position it was in and placed it approx 50 ft from the target area,and changed the settings so as to get data from further back-the night quality will not be as good,but it will observe dingoes with disturbing them,the dingo I got images of did notice the cam-it was at his eye level,and approx 15 ft from him.Usually I place cam up higher,but I really wanted to see what the best night quality this cam could give.

Overall I am happy with the little test run,and going by the reviews this cam is highly thought off,and used by many wildlife research departments around the world,one of the best features is the very quick trigger speed,a fraction of a second is all it takes to start taking pictures,my other cams 1.5 seconds or more.Another feature is a 'walk test' mode-set the cam watching target area,and in 'walk test' -(I have to get on my hands and knees-to be dingo size) ,I walk past and if the cam senses movement a little red light flashes on the front of the cam-to say its picked up the movement,which is a really BIG help when setting things up on site-and to be honest-that feature alone is worth the $600 price tag,it just saves me some much hassele and time in the field.

Here are a few basic piccy's straight from cam.hope these are of interest

[RobF]

Do they make any noise at all Chris? The animals seem aware of the cam in each shot. I could think of good reasons for it to be silent or even beep so you have the attention of the animal.

Wonder if the dingo could sense any of the presumably IR used as flash?

[hotspur]

The IR flash is this model is 'black flash',i.e covert.there is another model the HC 500,that has the 'red glow'.All my other cams are 'blackflash' as well.However its said the IR glow on this HC 600 model may be a little brighter than other 'blackflash' cams.On this occasion,I knew I was pushing it a bit if a dingo did come in,as I really wanted to test the highest quality night images this cam could give,I followed the advice and instructions to get that result-which meant I had the cam not at ideal covert mode.Being at the dogs eye level and not far away,is usually not something I do.Now I have seen that result,I'll go back to my usual height of 5/6 ft and further back from target area.

Animals are very smart,and they can at times 'hear' the electronic noise,or know something is 'up',some animals are quite a bit sharper than others-and good on them.But with this new cam and the options it gives me,and can set it much further back from target area and manipulate its settings to hopefully put me one step ahead of most dingoes.

Other uses I'll use this cam for is red deer and wedge tailed eagles,platypus nesting in the river bank,quolls etc.But ATM its mainly a work tool for the dingoes.

In answer to your question,generally its favored not to have the animal know the cam is there.There was a very big conference in Canberra on the use of these type cams for animal research,I wish I had know about it-I'd have gone,if they have another-be good to go,there might be some work where what you mention might be favourable.

Over all I am happy with all my cams-yes a few times the dingoes have been better than me,I have only been using these cams for a year,but they have not only paid for themselves,but made a profit for me too.

[MortonH]

Absolutely fascinating as usual, Chris. I love seeing these candid shots.

Morton

[Joshua Bunn]

Neat perspective Chris.

[hotspur]

Thanks all,I have some even more advanced trail cameras about to go into the field,so hope to put more results and info up about this and other remote cameras.I have had a few PM's re-info,I'll try and get that all up for those members,the main thing with buying a T/C is get one with a 'black flash' rather than 'red glow'.