Category Archives: Background

Les, the Great Horned Owl, Poses for Super Monopod

Background, Year 11

Super Monopod has returned! It is new and improved, as I have solved the pendulum problem (i.e. the camera may swing at the top of a fully extended super monopod).

  • Question: You may ask, what is “Super Monopod?”
  • Answer: A ranger approved manner to get your camera higher.

Read my original Super Monopod post and review … it shows initial results (photos). I even showed my setup to a park ranger who very much approved … assuming one does not get to close and push / flush birds. As a fyi … Les never moved all day! While one could use a drone to get a camera higher in the air, it is obvious that drones disturb birds and should NEVER be used.

The key to solving my pendulum problem was purchasing an inexpensive ball club head which allows me to tilt my camera on the top of my Super Monopod. Thus, at an extended reach of the poles, I no longer need to tilt the extremely tall monopod. I also use the ball club head with my Amazon Basics monopod (very light). I control my Sony A6300 at the top of the Super Monopod via remote control using a Sony App my phone.

Les, the Great Horned Owl (pics taken yesterday under horrible photographic conditions)

Two pictures of Super Monopod V1 (w/o the new ball club head)

Birding and the Weather / Apps

Background

This morning I had planned to return to the Greenwood Forest Fire Burn Area which is 40 miles north of Two Harbors. Before heading out on a birding outing, I always check the weather conditions, and sometimes the road reports. Optimal weather in the winter involves both safety, and understanding if I am likely to be successful. My check of the weather this morning put an end to my birding plans … icy roads and low visibility.

The number of weather apps available for either the Android or Apple platform is mind boggling. I will review the app I use, and indicate the aspects of the app I like and why. Obviously other apps may have similar features … the key is does your app provided you with the necessary data. My app is WeaWow (Google Play | Apple App Store). The basic app is free and has no advertisements, but for a small $2 donation you may unlock additional sources used for weather data input.

Click / Press Upon any Image to View at Full Size!

The StartUp Screen & Overview

The Weather Warning from the US Weather Service (based  upon  this  warning  I did  more  research. Not too surprisingly I am very interested in wind speed / direction, cloud cover, and visibility)

Hour by Hour Forecasted Details (my arrows point to information in which I have most interest)

Weather Maps (what is happening right now … rain/ snow and wind are my primary interests)

The weather data concerned me enough I then browsed to Mn511. This service of the State of Minnesota provides current road conditions. I can even look at pictures only  minutes old from snow plow cameras (real cool). Most states have similar services.

Here are two screenshots taken earlier this morning when I decided to cancel my morning birding outing. In summation, use the weather apps / services. I doubt I would have seen anything, and already many car crashes were being reported.