Info
Info
This webcam updates, well, whenever is the most convenient! Sometimes
it's every hour, sometimes once or twice a day. When I am not online an automated procedure uploads a new picture during daylight hours
and while I am online it may update more often.
The first webcam I used was a Connectix/Logitech Quickcam VC,
it worked great for many years but after being exposed to sun for years it
doesn't seem to be able to display colors very well. Later I used a CleverCam 360
and a Creative Labs
webcam, and sometimes a capture card
with a camcorder, a wireless camera, or a camcorder on a Firewire card. For software I use an old version of Webcam32 software.
Now I use an excellent Logitech Orbit webcam. This is the one with Carl ZeissŪ optics, auto-focus, fairly high resolution, zoom, and motorized mounts so that it can automatically swivel to follow a face or motion (with the right software). With the right adjustments it also sees well in very low light. Right now I am using it as a static cam but someday I would like to offer the ability of visitors to remotely control it.
The webcam itself is located a few miles north of Watertown, looking approximately southward toward the city.
The webcam is in my home/office window, safely protected from the elements but sometimes subject to slight glare.
The yard itself is at the front of the house, approximately
southward. Winds are partially slowed by the house, garage, and trees but
we have nearly continuous winds because of the location and surrounding area.
The partially protected yard makes for a good gauge of rainfall and snow and
other weather conditions. I'm a weather spotter for
NOAA's NWS
Buffalo Weather Spotter program
so it makes for a good area for taking snowfall totals.
To contact me via
