Contact Datacolor. I have the Spyder4 and it works with your version of windows. It also works with laptops. Updated software will probably work with yours.
Just to be sure, were you using the servo setting on the focus?
Become a student of what happened and where. This will help you to get the photos so they tell a story. If you don't know what happened, then it is just a bunch of monuments that mean nothing.
Good pics. I think your Red Squirrels are Fox Squirrels
Why don't we have a debate if Ford or Chevy is better. Another waste of bandwith.
Rick asked about a dumb buy. I can't figure out what or who is dummer Rick57 or his post.
I prefer the fly on the beak and the speared fish.
If you have more than one computer that you store photos on, I suggest a Seagate Central NAS
OK, then I would crop it to try to make the picture follow the Rule of thirds. I would loose a good portion of the background above the subject.
Send in the uncroped image. I do not like the postition of the bird in the picture. The position of the target image is everything. Are you familiar with the Rule of Thirds?
You did not say what kind of camera you want. Get a Canon SX50. It will do everything you want and will run on Auto perfectly. The price is right in your range.
If you want to get technical, they are called crepuscular rays
Just use the same cable that you download the pictures to the computer with. Use the EOS software. The third line down controls the camera. Is this what you are asking?