Infrared camera trap pictures

A week ago I posted a blog entry about infrared or IR camera traps. 90% of my personal camera-trapping pictures are from a typical “flash” camera which yields typically crisp and in color images. I left my Cuddeback Attack flash camera set up back at my house in Schoharie for the time that I would be away for the holidays, but while I’m in Western, NY for these few weeks, I am borrowing the same exact brand and model camera, just the IR version.

Well, when I set the camera a week ago, and the picture I shared of it’s “view” has nothing to show for the 4-5 days it was up. User error. I took so much time prepping the area, clearing weeds and sticks, and making sure the camera was hanging nicely, that I forgot to turn the camera on! What a rookie mistake.

When I went back to the spot a few days ago to check it, there was actually someone walking in the woods right by the camera. I had it set on my parents property, but still…there was someone wandering through the woods. They weren’t out hunting either, I assumed by the football jersey I saw him wearing. I had the dogs with me, so luckily I saw him before they did, and I turned back and left the area until I saw him leave. I really didn’t want to chase them around! I wasn’t comfortable with that whole situation, so I grabbed the camera and left. Because I’m borrowing it, I would be really really bummed out if someone stole it from me.

My parents have 10 acres of rural land, so there are plenty of spots to put the camera. This time I moved it to a little creek running through the woods on the opposite side of the property.



IR camera in it's new location

 

I chose a tree that was growing right smack dab in the middle of the creek, and I pointed it down a tree that had fallen across the creek. The creek at it’s deepest is 8″, and is only about 4 feet wide. So it’s not hard to cross, but animals like little bridges that they can use. My goal for this location is sort of weasely critter. There are short-tails, long-tails, and minks that live around me for sure. Doubtful that river otter or fishers do, but the littler weasels do. All of those animals, by the way, are in the same family (Mustelidae) and are all cousins!

In front of the camera you can see the bait I left- I took the handful of dog food that one of the dogs left in her bowl, a combination of wet/dry food, and smeared it on the trunk of that downed tree. I thought that fishy smell of the canned dog food would draw in a weasel. Nope.

First, my naughty puppy snuck into the woods at some point and raided the camera trap site.

 

Next, this feral cat made several appearances Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Apparently my parents have seen it on the second floor of their deck off the back of the house recently. Lovely!

 

Ok Blackie, I’ve had enough of you! If I have a cat repeatedly showing up to this area, few other WILD animals will. I left the camera where it was, because I like the spot, and the next time I check it will dictate whether it stays there or not. Ugh!