Free Flight Video

[Alisana]

OK - so I've been looking into the idea of this ever since watching "Earthflight" and was looking at ways to record video of our birds flying around.

I thought I'd start a discussion here to see if anyone has ever managed to record their bird's free flight experience from their perspective/view; and if so, what methods have you used?

If anyone has any videos, please share them here

Everyone is welcome to post personal experiences, videos and ideas. I would love to see what we can come up with!

 

[Alisana]

My idea is to use an existing system like the harness or free flight suit. In my case, the recordings I'm planning on doing inside a building, so there is less risk of getting caught on things. (I don't recommend flying with a harness ON outside where it can snagged in trees/branches etc)

The harness/flight suit can then have a small camera clipped to breast part.

I've looked into a few different style cameras - there is the keyring one (where trusty velcro can attach it to any surface) or the button-hole camera. So far, these are what I prefer for this idea as they are VERY light and small. I've seen many "micro" cameras that need to be connected to a 9V battery and I'd rather a bird NOT carry something around like that as they can easily bite into it.

RISKS:
- As mentioned previously; flying with a harness on (minus leash) or a flight suit can be VERY DANGEROUS if the bird get's caught on something like a tree or branch
>> Alternative, see if I can train the bird to "Carry" the camera, so that way if they get startled, they'll just drop it; I'd rather a broken camera than an injured bird
- CHEWING electrical products; e.g. Camera, battery
>> Would need training to ensure that it does NOT happen; maybe if the camera has a wireless function allow them to hold the camera themselves and focus it on things so they can see it on the screen Kind've like birdie-home video
>> Be careful of batteries
- Bird going missing during flight
>> Use cameras will a wireless option if possible; you can then see what they can see and hopefully gauge an idea of where they are
>> Note free flight is a risk and requires a huge amount of training and TRUST between both bird and owner

Mmm... I'll add more to this later XD I think bed is calling me.

 

[Alisana]

Video from Earthflight:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mhvwvEvSGOI]Earthflight - Barnacle Geese Fly Over London (Behind the Scenes) - YouTube[/ame]

And use of a camera on the back of a bird:

 

[Pookamama]

Oh those geese are so beautiful in flight!

 

[Alisana]

Oh those geese are so beautiful in flight!

If you ever get a chance to watch the Earthflight series, I highly recommend it

The geese were brought up from young by the man Christian (?) I think, and they would follow him anywhere, including in the air Bit of trail and error, with some hesitating to fly in the area originally, but they ended up in the air together. It's so cute. It's episode 6 if you wanted to see the behind the scenes.