Warning about video camera at St. Marks NWR

St. Marks NWR recently installed a WeatherSTEM station with two streaming cameras. One camera points to the south end of the lighthouse and the other points toward the old pier.

Both of these streams are viewable online and are cross posted to YouTube.

The problem is the camera pointed at the lighthouse can view some of the parking spaces that look out over the bay. When enlarged these images are clear enough to read writing on vehicles and to identify individuals.

This can cause embarrassment to anyone arriving early who does not see one around and decides to change into their bathing suit or does other activities they don’t want to go on the internet.

Likewise the camera that points to the old dock captures part of the trail. Anyone on the trail who thinks they are out of view and decides to relieve themselves could find themselves on YouTube.

I suggest everyone go to the camera website at: https://wakulla.weatherstem.com/fswnstmarks so you know what areas are covered by the camera.

Click on the cameras link and you can choose which camera to see. There are options to see full screen version of the images. It is good to view all the options where you can find links to the YouTube versions

I have no problem at all if refuges put up security cameras but I don’t like the video being put online.

Jim