Capture Birds landing with ultrasonic sensor and cameras-Response time

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello.
I'm still learning about arduino and electronics. I am interested in creating a trigger for my nikon dslr that will fire the camera when an object reaches a certain distance from the sensor.

Do the ultrasonic sensors send and receive fast enough to send a signal in .2 seconds or so.

What I intend is a low profile device that I can mount near the base of the bird feeder pointing towards the sky.

I have a hi viz trigger that I built and an opt isolator circuit for firing the camera. So I am just needing some sensor that is one piece that will send a signal to the hiviz trigger.

Thanks
Gerald

2

Do the ultrasonic sensors send and receive fast enough to send a signal in .2 seconds or so.

depends on the distance between sensor and landing site.
A sound wave has to go forth and back, at 340m/sec (380 yards/sec?) it can do about 70 meter (80 yards) in 0.2 second so that is a distance of approx 35 meters (40 yards) not the problem, The range of most US-sensors however is only a few meters max .

So you need to dive into datasheets to seek a right one

If you have a landing spot you might make a switch of that?
If the weight of the bird is on the landing strip it switches ON, if it leaves the switch is set OFF again.
The camera should be fired when a transition from OFF->ON is detected.

3

Just be careful you're not building an expensive, elaborate bird-scarer.

4

Thanks for the replies. The distance I am looking at is less 2 feet. I hoped to mount the sensor only under the ledge of the feeder.

I also have a pir sensor that may do what I need.

On the time I was wondering if the sensor itself sent signal continuously or on intervals. What I need to do is wire it up and do some testing.

I really want to capture the bat that comes around at night but they may really not like the ultrasound.
Thanks again for the replies.

5

but they may really not like the ultrasound

OTOH, you'll know when they're coming.

6

Or they will just have to come see what the racket is !

7

obviously you need to blanket the shorts.
you could put posts up to create a runway of a sorts, and if the ultrasonic is less than ideal, you could put some sort of laser or optical interrupters.

I had a hummingbird feeder nestled between two trees. the little guy would come in and try to stay equidistant from the trees.

as for the bats, what sort of film works at night at very fast moving objects ?

8

Hey Dave. What I have done trying to capture the bat is just set my focus manually and when is in the right place press the shutter. I have only captured parts of the bat like this.

In the sensor, I plan to have it mounted at the bar of the feeder pointing up and towards the direction they come in from. The camera will be father away using a longer lens. I don't one of it will work but just playing with the sensor and leds it will respond fast enough. When I figure out the output to my camera I will give it a try with a tennis ball.

9

I could be wrong, but suspect you may find it a trifle difficult to detect birds with an ultrasonic sensor.

They are, you see, covered with these fluffy things called feathers.

Maybe it will work ... (And yes, I know bats can.)

10

lots of options.

light sensor. the presence of the bird will alter the light. if your sensor is sensitive enough and maybe you can place it in the bottom of a tube, you can direct the pattern ? need to integrate the readings and compare to new. that way the sensitivity will change with cloud cover and sun movement.

beam break.
you could have an overhead beam pointed to a receptor or reflector on the ground.

just some ideas.

11

Paul__B:
I could be wrong, but suspect you may find it a trifle difficult to detect birds with an ultrasonic sensor.

They are, you see, covered with these fluffy things called feathers

Maybe it will work ... (And yes, I know bats can.)

I tried a stuffed dog toy and it seemed to work how get I may end up with a light sensor or pir instead. I still have lots to learn. Working 7 12s right now so playtime is at a mimimum but do hope to get something working soon.