Tag: Nature

I really want to get a new GoPro Camera.

I’ve been meaning to do it but keep putting it off due to the expense and / or waiting for the new model.

I’d like to get one for a couple of reasons. They’re not bad dive cameras with the right water tight enclosures. They’re good hiking and trail riding cameras and their still photos are really good too.

All of this came to light again this morning as Jesse and I were on our walk. 

We often see wildlife on our walks and I’m never able to get him under control and be able to get my phone out and deployed one handed in time. I’d really prefer to have something simple that I could mount my iPhone to and be able to use the remote shutter function in my watch to control the phone.

That would be a simple single point solution for the hiking. The GoPro would then be mostly about diving.

I own an older GoPro but the batteries are tired and honestly, it’s always been a pain in the but to get photos or videos off the damn thing. I don’t like having to pay a subscription so that my photos and videos can be uploaded to the GoPro cloud, then back down to my computer. Or that directly connecting the USB C connector from the GoPro to my computer won’t allow direct transfer to my computer where I”m going to be editing the movie in the first place, but it works for recharging the camera. The only way to do anything directly is to remove the super small SD card from the camera, then download the files from that (using an adapter for the SD card and a dongle for the SD card adapter to the USB C port) to my computer.)

It literally was such a frustrating pain in the ass I stopped using the GoPro and canceled the $59 a year subscription. 

I suppose, I’m a minimalist. I have device A and device B in my hands (or on a table) both have comparable connections based on an IEEE standard so Silly me, I expect the connection to work.

I suppose that’s another reason that I’ve been holding off on buying another GoPro. I want to be able to return the fucker if contrary to their specifications getting data off the camera is a cluster fuck.

Anyhoo. I suppose I’m still a bit frustrated by GoPro’s design failures in the past.

All of this was underscored on my walk with Jesse today.

Jesse suddenly stopped, but was at full attention. He was looking at something very intently and at first I couldn’t see what had his attention. Often he’ll do this if there’s a very large lizard. Then I noticed the short dry grass moving in an unnatural way. Meaning, the breeze was going one way, and the grass was moving against the breeze. 

Then I saw a dark line, and realized it was a snake of some kind.

Jesse was curious, but cautious. He was, however moving slowly toward the snake as it was moving toward the path we were walking on. The snake had a dark grayish color, it wasn’t until it got closer that I caught a bit of a greenish undertone and saw the tail.

The 3 little knobs told the tale. I was looking at a young rattlesnake, based on the colors it was probably a Mojave green rattlesnake.

The photo shown is a professional shot. Looking at it, I think the snake we encountered might also have been nearing time to shed its skin. The nice triangular markings in this photo were not as obvious. I don’t know off hand if juveniles have different colors/patterns. 

Jesse remained fairly calm as we watched the snake pass us. But it was one of those times when I wished again for a POV camera strapped to my head, chest, or perched on my shoulder.

This snake paid us absolutely no mind at all. It passed behind us moving straight across the path we’d been walking on.

In other words, all was naturally harmonious. The snake couldn’t have eaten us and we had no reason to bother it. So three apex predators in our respective niches passed each other with due respect and nobody got hurt.

I’d have liked to have pictures and video of it because I like nature.  Jesse & I were in fact walking through the snakes and other predators territory. I like the mutual, “We’re going to leave you alone if you leave us alone,” vibe when we’re hiking.

Some of the deer we run across this time of year have figured out, try as he might, Jesse isn’t going to chase them. They often watch us closely, but don’t necessarily bolt unless we’re too close. They’re beautiful and I’d like to get photos of them. However, me raising anything shiny and metallic towards them will cause panic and in an instant they’re gone.

Some kind of mounting apparatus would be helpful to capture them in their natural habitat too.

The newer GoPro cameras appear to have corrected their initial design flaws regarding data transfer. I’m not entirely convinced but would be willing to try. 9/4 GoPro is releasing 2 new cameras so I’ll take a look and see if there’s anything that is worthwhile.

Maybe I’ll just keep shopping for something that works with my iPhone.

I’d really like a rig like Predator. Head tracking would be a lot of fun even if it was only a camera and not an energy weapon.