Flash, Flash, Baby

I've noticed from web statistics data that some folks have found me by searching for information on the flash feature of the Wingscapes BirdCam. And I have been silent on the subject. Well, let's remedy that. I have in fact been experimenting with the feature. Some weeks ago I did some active test work, hoping to spot opossums or whatever night life might be raiding my feeders. That was only half hearted as I had no reason to think creatures of the night were out there, and in fact I obtained no pictures. Well, fine. I put that testing aside for a time. Which brings us to early Sunday morning. It turns out that I hadn't turned the flash feature off, and to my surprise I found three photos which were unquestionably produced early in the morning (7:15 AM) with the aid of the flash. I'm learning the hard way about this feature. I never did find any text on the flash feature in my user instruction manual (was mine for the Audubon Cam? probably.) Setting it is easy by stepping through Setup Mode. But thereafter it has been trial and error. The photos I took suggest that one may need at least a subject within 12 inches to trigger the flash: I had a bird within that range in all three cases. But frankly I have a paucity of data. Conclusions: (1) the flash feature works as advertised. I obtained good pictures, and the flash illuminates a fair area. (2) it is easy to switch the feature on. (3) One needs wildlife. The BirdCam cannot invent critters that are not there. So if you are not getting any flash photos, keep in mind that things may be quiet at your feeders in the dark hours. Be patient and see what happens.