Once again this year we are sending live footage from inside a gourd to all the classrooms around the school. This year we have two cameras to choose from; last year's S&K model mounted inside a Big Bo (with two Big Bos to choose from on that pole), and this year's improved S&K nest cam mounted inside a Supergourd (with two Supergourds to choose from).
(Thank you Dave)
We have been sending footage from a Big Bo, and feeding the Supergourd footage into a single TV/VCR at the source.
One unexpected technical problem encountered this year has been an unexplained static on the footage sent to the classroom TV's. The problem apparently originates within our cable system rather than the camera and we have put in a work order.
Still, static or no, our live hatching today has caused quite a stir. We have it recorded but here's a couple of more or less random screen shots I managed to get during my hectic day.
Of course the digital camera emphasizes the static so the image isn't quite as bad as depicted here. It is easily possible to follow the events on screen, and a May 1st hatch means we should be able to follow this brood to fledging (God willing) before school lets out at the end of the month.
Four eggs in this particular gourd, three eggs hatched today.
Mike Scully
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