Behind the scenes at the Backyard Bird Cams

Bird Cam #1 & Bird Cam #2: Live pictures, updated every 25 seconds, are available daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (times vary with the length of daylight hours)

Pat's Backyard Bird Cam is located in northwest Oklahoma City about eight miles from the downtown area. 

I use Axis 2100 network cameras. They automatically capture the images and transfer them to the server. The camera has a remarkable focal length and can be focused from within a few millimeters to infinity. The tube feeder in the foreground is only 16 inches from the lens of Bird Cam #1. The farthest feeder (on the left) is about 3 feet from the lens. Bird Cam #2 is about 36 inches from the ground feeder allowing for a view that includes the birds on the feeder and in front of it.

We built camera boxes to shelter the cameras from the weather and other things that drop from the sky around bird feeders. The two wooden feeders in view on Bird Cam #1 are well-worn favorites of our feathered friends. The tube feeder was added to bring some of the smaller birds, like the chickadees, closer to the camera. I built the ground feeders in view on Bird Cam #2 from scrap lumber. While they aren't perfect (or square) the birds, especially the White-winged Doves, enjoy feeding from them in spite of the flaws. 

My cats Millie (left) & Tippi (right) also enjoy spending time in the backyard and are sometimes visible walking in front of Bird Cam #2. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions about our Backyard Bird Cam. E-mail: pvelte@cox.net

Pat's Backyard BirdCams are on habitat certified in the National Wildlife Federation's worldwide network of mini-refuges.  Backyard Wildlife Habitat™ site No. 40887.