Penguin Watch Talk

Do Night Photos Use A Flash?

  • banthesun by banthesun

    I've noticed that the front area in all the night photos are more clearly illuminated than the back, so I presume they're using some source of their own light.

    Recently I was lucky enough to go to the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, and they had a rule against flash photography there. They were particularly careful to make sure it was enforced, telling people that bright flashes of light could disorientate the penguins, or cause them to throw up. I'm wondering why that doesn't seem to be a problem here.

    Is it only clusters of flashes that hurt them, or do the cameras use some colour of light the penguins can't see? Or am I completely off track here?

    Posted

  • yshish by yshish moderator, translator in response to banthesun's comment.

    Hi,

    Hah, actually, I was about asking Tom this question tonight !! 😃 Will let you know the answer as soon as it arrives! I'm really curious!

    Z.

    Posted

  • craftymonster by craftymonster

    I'm quite curious about this as well. Perhaps the flash uses infrared emitters, which wouldn't disturb the penguins?

    Posted

  • korobkov by korobkov

    This seems most likely (at least, for me).
    Here are the specs of cameras used:

    http://www.reconyx.com/shop/HyperFire%26trade%3B/252

    http://www.reconyx.com/shop/Security_Series%3A_Surveillance_%26amp%3B_License_Plate_Capture_Cameras/96

    Posted

  • banthesun by banthesun

    Ooh, those specs do look helpful! Looks like it would be infrared, then!

    Posted

  • Motherjoanne by Motherjoanne

    On at least one of the sites, I have seen nighttime images taken using a starlight camera. Best solution all around - but probably very expensive.

    Posted