Cheating at photography: Trail cam pics: I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. I simply don't feel like documenting wind, smoke, dust, and drought. I understand that in...

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. I simply don't feel like documenting wind, smoke, dust, and drought. I understand that in other parts of the country springtime is when things green up; here in the Southwest it's when things start to dry out (more--they were already pretty dry). And burn up. So no, I don't feel like hauling my camera around.

What I do feel like doing is trying to make a difference for at least some animals, so I have set up three water stations at various locations in the forest. The rubber tubs are small and only hold about three gallons, but between the tubs and the water it's a lot of weight for me to carry. Once the tubs are established and attached to trees by locking cables (so that bears don't carry them off to make toys of them), I just have to carry water. It's still a lot.

The fun part is then setting up trail cameras to see who visits the water stations. It may take animals a week or two to get over their suspicion concerning these strange vessels, but once they figure it out, they flock to the water. In one set of videos that spanned a week, a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Hermit Thrush, a Brown Towhee, a Summer Tanager, and a Red-faced Warbler all drank from one tub, after a bear tried to climb into it. She only succeeded in getting her front legs wet (photo provided). At another station, I was thrilled to see a Golden Eagle land on the edge and then hop in for a long bath; a day later a Bobcat drank deeply and then sat next to the tub for a moment, blinking in the sun.

People say I'm crazy for going to all this trouble, especially after taking a hard fall with all that weight on my back, but these admittedly poor-quality photos (still shots from the videos) will explain why it's all worthwhile.

And good news: The monsoon began today with widespread rain that lasted much of the afternoon. The forecast looks the same for all of next week. I hope that those of you who need rain get some, and that all of you enjoy these photos.

(Download)

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

SWFeral wrote:

I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. I simply don't feel like documenting wind, smoke, dust, and drought. I understand that in other parts of the country springtime is when things green up; here in the Southwest it's when things start to dry out (more--they were already pretty dry). And burn up. So no, I don't feel like hauling my camera around.

What I do feel like doing is trying to make a difference for at least some animals, so I have set up three water stations at various locations in the forest. The rubber tubs are small and only hold about three gallons, but between the tubs and the water it's a lot of weight for me to carry. Once the tubs are established and attached to trees by locking cables (so that bears don't carry them off to make toys of them), I just have to carry water. It's still a lot.

The fun part is then setting up trail cameras to see who visits the water stations. It may take animals a week or two to get over their suspicion concerning these strange vessels, but once they figure it out, they flock to the water. In one set of videos that spanned a week, a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Hermit Thrush, a Brown Towhee, a Summer Tanager, and a Red-faced Warbler all drank from one tub, after a bear tried to climb into it. She only succeeded in getting her front legs wet (photo provided). At another station, I was thrilled to see a Golden Eagle land on the edge and then hop in for a long bath; a day later a Bobcat drank deeply and then sat next to the tub for a moment, blinking in the sun.

People say I'm crazy for going to all this trouble, especially after taking a hard fall with all that weight on my back, but these admittedly poor-quality photos (still shots from the videos) will explain why it's all worthwhile.

And good news: The monsoon began today with widespread rain that lasted much of the afternoon. The forecast looks the same for all of next week. I hope that those of you who need rain get some, and that all of you enjoy these photos.

I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. ... (show quote)

Thank you for your kindness to our feathered and furred friends. By no stretch of the imagination do I think you are crazy. When it's hot and dry here in Southern NJ, I always put out containers of water for the birds, ducks, skunks, opossums, and any other animal that needs cool drink. BTW, I honestly enjoyed your photos - especially the story they tell.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Sounds like a lot of work, but looks like you were rewarded. So happy for the rain.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

SWFeral wrote:

I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. I simply don't feel like documenting wind, smoke, dust, and drought. I understand that in other parts of the country springtime is when things green up; here in the Southwest it's when things start to dry out (more--they were already pretty dry). And burn up. So no, I don't feel like hauling my camera around.

What I do feel like doing is trying to make a difference for at least some animals, so I have set up three water stations at various locations in the forest. The rubber tubs are small and only hold about three gallons, but between the tubs and the water it's a lot of weight for me to carry. Once the tubs are established and attached to trees by locking cables (so that bears don't carry them off to make toys of them), I just have to carry water. It's still a lot.

The fun part is then setting up trail cameras to see who visits the water stations. It may take animals a week or two to get over their suspicion concerning these strange vessels, but once they figure it out, they flock to the water. In one set of videos that spanned a week, a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Hermit Thrush, a Brown Towhee, a Summer Tanager, and a Red-faced Warbler all drank from one tub, after a bear tried to climb into it. She only succeeded in getting her front legs wet (photo provided). At another station, I was thrilled to see a Golden Eagle land on the edge and then hop in for a long bath; a day later a Bobcat drank deeply and then sat next to the tub for a moment, blinking in the sun.

People say I'm crazy for going to all this trouble, especially after taking a hard fall with all that weight on my back, but these admittedly poor-quality photos (still shots from the videos) will explain why it's all worthwhile.

And good news: The monsoon began today with widespread rain that lasted much of the afternoon. The forecast looks the same for all of next week. I hope that those of you who need rain get some, and that all of you enjoy these photos.

I haven't had a real camera in my hand for weeks. ... (show quote)

Your efforts paid off with interesting visitors coming for a drink.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Good work! You know that Ted would be proud.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

MadMikeOne wrote:

Thank you for your kindness to our feathered and furred friends. By no stretch of the imagination do I think you are crazy. When it's hot and dry here in Southern NJ, I always put out containers of water for the birds, ducks, skunks, opossums, and any other animal that needs cool drink. BTW, I honestly enjoyed your photos - especially the story they tell.

Thanks. The reason I haul water way out into the woods is to keep bears from getting in trouble, although if they want to they will anyway. The nearest water holes in streams require traipsing through campgrounds and along a highway, and even though black bears are our state animal and should be revered, people continue to be terrified of them (which is ridiculous). I hope to be sharing more trail cam photos, and maybe even real photos, in the near future.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

patrick43 wrote:

Sounds like a lot of work, but looks like you were rewarded. So happy for the rain.

I hope you got in on the rain too, neighbor. It is so long overdue. Yes I am rewarded for my work. Sometimes the birds start to talk to each other when I arrive with water, and once I observed a string of ants heading for water I'd poured into a hole in a rock. When they got there, they all turned around and scuttled back, I assume to let the others know. The work is also necessary for my mental and physical health.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Annie-Get-Your-Gun wrote:

Your efforts paid off with interesting visitors coming for a drink.

Yes indeed. If it were just a matter of carrying heavy loads of water to dump into tubs I don't know if I could stay motivated. But to trade out an SD card in a trail camera is like bring home a potentially priceless gift!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Longshadow wrote:

Yep. It's good work.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

UTMike wrote:

Good work! You know that Ted would be proud.

Ted would be horrified, but he'd accompany me uncomplaining. When I fell off a rock onto my right shoulder, he might have even helped me get to my feet again, but he would have insisted that we turn back; instead, I went ahead and delivered the water. But I feel his presence, usually disapproving, on all of my outings. I miss being a team with him. Thanks for remembering him.

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

Interesting pictures and a nice return on your efforts in behalf of the animals. By the way, it’s only cheating if you claim it is something it isn’t.

Bill

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I’m glad you got some of that rain yesterday. We got some up here yesterday and today. It was lovely. Be careful hauling all that water.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Great photos!!! I swear the Bobcat knows she is being videoed and is posing just for you. How awesome that you have such a wide variety of visitors to watch!!! I know that it is quite the effort to haul the water but it is obvious that it is appreciated. I'm looking forward to seeing more!!!

Dodie

Gene Spearman Loc: Greenville, South Carolina.

Nice shots and great story.