When you have a big problem to solve, the first thing you should do is break it into manageable pieces. That’s why to help me solve my bird-detector problem, I’ve broken the problem into steps. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

1. Use Python to control camera.
2. Use camera to detect motion.
3. Use Python to detect motion.
4. Modify Python program to only detect birds.
5. Use Python to send an email or text message.
6. Modify Python program to send an email or text message when it detects birds.
7. Modify Python program so it works at the lake.
8. Mount Raspberry Pi and camera at the lake and start the program.

I think I’m going to start by solving problems 2 and 3, because if they don’t work, nothing in the program will work. Wish me luck!