Latest Project - Osprey Nest IP Cameras

Spent this entire week programming and setting up a wireless network at Patuxent River Park in Maryland. My partner and I installed 2 IP cameras pointing down at 2 osprey nests. The HD video stream is sent back to the visitor center network video recorder and viewed on a 60" LED tv mounted on a wall. It's controlled by a wireless mouse connected to the NVR or an iPad using an app.

This was a complex setup. On the first nest camera pole we have 2 solar panels that keep two 12v marine batteries charged. Then we take that 12v and convert it to 24v AC for the PoE switch that powers 2 access points and convert that same 12v to 24v DC to power the camera.

One of those access points aims down river to another nest. On that pole is a camera and a client access point. 24v AC comes to the pole by a cable inside PVC pipe sunk in the mud to power the PoE switch which powers the access point. The 24v AC is converted to 24v DC for the camera.

This was a very fun job. The live video is awesome. Unfortunately we must wade through government red tape to get the live stream out onto the WWW. I'll let you know when it happens.

Here's a couple pis to give an idea of the project.

 

The water there is not too far from the Chesapeake Bay and the tide averages about 1.5-2' differences. The water around the nests is about 2.5' deep at peak high tide. Ospreys typically nest on water because of predators like crows and racoons whcih take the eggs and the young birds.