I'm on Carol's list too.

Glad I'm not the one that has to make a decision.  Love the look of the falcon with the R in it's talons (#77).  That's really cool.  I still can't chose a favorite!

Question - Does anyone know why some logos are now withdrawn that were up there before?  Are they withdrawn by the artist or by crowdSpring?

I noticed many forum members are leaning towards a more traditional-type logo. Does fast/sleek mean abstract or modern to a graphic artist?

Reposting the link so you don't have to back to the first page: http://www.crowdspring.com/project/2290056_rfalconcam-logo/

Well, my working theory is that Quest was abducted by aliens and taken to their base high in the boreal forests of Colorado...

Good one Jim.

It's good to see that Quest was back in at the Nuclear Power Plant in Pickering.  I'll bet she is keeping an eye on that place as a nesting site for spring, and checking to make sure no other falcons have the same idea.  Can't blame her for liking her wintering location.  She does love shore birds, and I bet the food is plentiful.

Joyce

[still images]

Hi Anne,

I felt your post was worthy of being a separate topic, so as a moderator I changed it, and then it found its way to OT.  Thanks for speaking your mind.

To give you a brief update...Judi in California is still a moderator, but has not had much time to participate like she used to.  Baerbel's priorities have changed with looking for a new job, and it seems everyone's time is more limited than it used to be. I agree times have changed and so have forums. Buffalo doesn't even have a group of watchers, or a forum to follow anymore. The Syracuse forum is almost defunct, the Cleveland board has a steady few that participate on a regular basis depending on the topic, just as members do on Rfalconcam. People don't have the time to follow forums like we used to, and many are active on Facebook.  Mirta and Jim in Atlanta are active on FB, as many of my other falcon-watching friends.  I often stay connected with members through facebook, rather than on forums.  This allows me personal communication on a one-to-one basis that we don't have on forums anymore. Plus I am not as technologically challenged anymore, and I'm staying in touch by texting.  I never thought at my age I woud be texting like a teenager.

As mentioned, Rfalconcam is no longer a forum with a big company behind it providing support. I am proud Rfalconcam is successful so far as a nonprofit business in this terrible economy.  It is run mostly with volunteer help (and many who have full-time jobs as well).  The organization has experienced constant growing pains. I hear your primary concern with the change with the personal touch of the forum.  

Rfalconcam's mission is not only a webcam & forum but is..."To increase environmental awareness and education by providing high quality still images and video of the peregrine falcons in their nest box as well as information about the peregrines, educational material and other items of interest."  I wonder how many people have actually read that on the home page, or do they link solely to the forum?

I am not part of the Rfalconcam organization, and don't have the time to participate on a regular basis due to my commute and work obligations, so my contributions are via donations, moderating, and watch reporting.

I know the organization is constantly improving and many forum members are involved in any way they can.  For example, Dumpsterkitty has been working on the family tree, Donna continues to post news on peregrine falcons, Canadian updates, etc., and MAK and Carol are posting daily watch reports via twitter (which we never had this frequently in the past).

As stated, there is a lot of heart, passion, pride, and a sprinkling of ego. Not a bad recipe to keep things going.  I know that any ideas are welcome to better the organization, and volunteer help would be most appreciated.  I personally can't wait to retire cause I have a great idea that I want to work on (not telling what).

I hope that the website will eventually include an outline the Rfalconcam organization, staff, and it's committees. It would be helpful for everyone to know who the "we" are.

Anne, it saddened me to read what you wrote, and I am hoping you'll stick with us.  Having met you, I know it came from your heart.

Kindest regards,
Joyce

Wow, there are a few more very interesting logos...I'm enjoying the competition and creativeness!

#62 is a modification of #28 and I'm impressed with the change.  I like it now because even though it is a sleek and modern abstract, I can picture our falcons with that particular posture.

In my opinion, logos are accents to the merchandise, and not the reason a purchaser buys the item.  The logo shouldn't overpower the purchase, but ID the source of the merchandise and subtly promote the organization.

I too have bought several items over the years, but the only one I have with the current logo is the Quest design on a shirt.  Even though it is big, I didn't mind it because it acts as the Q in Quest.

As I mentioned before, I like simplicity, and I am hoping rfalconcam merchandising committee will come up with some jewelery items as well, and if it can incorporate the logo, all the better.

Once a final winner winner is chosen, is it possible to negotiate with the submitted artist to use one of their designs for a lesser fee on specific merchandise?  I think #47 and #69 both work well in that situation.

Joyce  

I've gone back and re-reviewed the entries and tried to narrow them down to instant impact, and what could be used on wearable merchandise, and yet simple enough to be on a lapel pin.

My favorites:

#55 - appeals to me because the logo with and without the words is strong and identifiable. I see the falcon and circle as worldwide, not only as a logo, but an emblem.  I could also see me proudly wearing the logo (without words) as a pair of earrings, or even as a bracelet/necklace charm, etc.  With the words, it is simple enough to not distract from use with other designs, photos, etc.

#47 - The flying falcon and buildings hits home. I can see me wearing this on a shirt, pin, ornament, etc. Anyone walking up to me in Rochester seeing this design will know who are connected to.  I love it as a design, but is it a multiple use logo?

Joyce

[Happy Thanksgiving...]

Happy Thanksgiving... with a disco beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p2Fk3kN6jw

Enjoy!
Joyce

Anyone can sign up at crowdSpring as a designer.

Yes, but not everyone has the software to put ideas into motion.  Is there anything free on the internet that we can use?

You know what immediately came to mind when I read this?  The Quest T-shirt pic.  I'm thinking a stylized version of it might make an outstanding logo...

I was thinking exactly the same thing!  Using a globe with a peregrine figure with the appropriate wording to meet the 4 criteria.  

I understand the need to upgrade, but how important is fast and sleek?  Sounds like what the NFL did, and some of my favorites team logos are still the established ones.  Many of the new falcon designs remind me of the Atlanta Falcons logo, because of the black and red.  Will using black and red with a sleek falcon design infringe on the Atlanta Falcons trade dress?

I like the simplicity of #36 and would ask the artist to modify to include the other ctiteria.  I also like the trailing lines to imply speed.

Joyce

  Yep, that's a !    I was just reading some of Marty's old emails...she was a good soul, and loved to share and make us smile.

Pics from this am: Nov 21, 2010

Beauty. Yay a clear front shot of her. The sun made a big difference. (great pic)

This is a good one!  Love the circle effect.  I remember Carol P used to post some pics like that, but I think her camera had a mind of it's own when it did that.

MAK did some digi-nocing    this am. Not bad considering it was raining and she took this from inside her truck. Beauty on Mercury. Thanks MAK

Pretty darn good, actually!  Remember when Joyce first started watching and she was using binoculars with a camera built in?

Ei - I miss those camera-binocs now and then.  I've even thought about getting another pair.  They are still pretty reasonably priced. It was fun to take them places.  They had good optics, and I really liked taking video through them while I was watching at the same time.

Mak - Pretty ingenious.  You do with what you have and all of us enjoy seeing them.  Since I am out of state, your tweets are fun to get every morning too! I don't know how you did it, but try to brace everything as much as you can, and hold your breath when you take the pic.

Joyce

Lots of interesting and creative designs represented.  Unfortunately none of them seem to have adhered to criteria items 1 or 3 (other than to list the name "Rochester" on a couple of them).  In particular, other than emphasizing "cam" in the name, I don't see any of the logos that say to me "that's a webcam site in Rochester, NY".

Here is the criteria that Jim is referring to:
http://www.crowdspring.com/project/2290056_rfalconcam-logo/details/

1. World Class Live Action (Webcams)
2. Peregrine Falcon
3. Rochester, New York
4. Fast/Sleek

NOTE - Title of topic revised so pictures can be updated periodically from different days. Just add date to subject or in text.

Mak - Thanks for giving us pictures from your perspective. ~Joyce

So MAK's on Broad St. down by the Post Office when 3 police cars pull up behind her.

Unbelievable...3 police cars!  Must be a weekday thing.  Where were they when Suzanne and Don's car was broken into?  It took over an hour and a half on the weekend for someone to come, and we even went over to the station to get help.

Last spring, I was reported to the police by a parole officer when we looking for Callidora on the jail building.  He just said "Oh, you're one of the people I see over on Broad St."  At least I didn't have my ID checked.

Maybe they don't think watching falcons in the cold season is believable...I guess we haven't established a reputation yet as the FALCON FLAKES!

Joyce