NEW YORK — Ride the waves. Race down the slopes. Visit Times Square. Take a virtual vacation that requires no money, no vacation days, and no planning.
Webcams, short for web cameras, are capturing more than baby pandas at the zoo.
More than a million are offering images in real time across the Internet, ranging from the not-so-interesting (a pug sleeping on a couch) to destinations like Iceland. Some are live streaming video 24-7, while others refresh the image every few seconds or longer.
Still, regardless of how "live" these images are, webcams are showing the world to the world, says Brian Curry, founder and CEO of EarthCam, a leader in providing webcam content, technology and software.
Here are some webcams worth checking out. Note that some of these Web sites may prompt you to download software before you can view them; many are best viewed at certain times of day, and some can be enlarged for better viewing.
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Hawaii waves
www.mauiwindcam.com/streaming/ — Catch the waves on the reef in the North Shore of Maui. Two webcams capture the Uppers Kanaha and Camp One, famous windsurfing spots. Professional windsurfers launch right in front of the camera and train in the winter months before starting the Professional Windsurfers Association tour.
Times Square
www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/ — One of the best webcams for people who are burning the midnight oil. The cameras show live streaming video of Times Square and the illuminated signs make the view great 24-7. The main image captures the "Crossroads of the World" at 46th Street and Broadway and allows users to zoom in or zoom out. EarthCam has a total of 20 cameras in Times Square, including four inside the Hawaiian Tropic Zone Restaurant, Bar & Lounge.
African safari
www9.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/wildcamafrica/ — Go on a virtual safari with live streaming video of the Mashatu Game Reserve in Bostwana, Africa. Watch lions, tigers, bears, deer and other animals drink at a watering hole. The best viewing times are 1-5 p.m. or 9 p.m.-1 a.m., according to the site.
Old Faithful
www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm — Watch an eruption of the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The geyser erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers, according to the National Park Service, with an average interval between eruptions of around 91 minutes. The geyser shoots as much as 8,400 gallons of boiling water into the air at heights that can reach about 185 feet. (Note: The image updates every 30 seconds, so you may have to watch for a while to see the eruption).
Niagara Falls
www.earthcam.com/canada/niagarafalls/ — The camera is on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. The image updates once every two to three seconds. (Note: The camera has an automatic windshield wiper, which can be distracting).
For skiers
www.skisugar.com/sugarlive/smrbase.phtml — Race down the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort in North Carolina. The live streaming video shows skiers at the base of the Lower Flying Mile beginner slope.
For divers
www.breathebonaire.com/ — Go scuba diving in Bonaire National Marine Park in the Netherlands Antilles without donning a wet suit. The megapixel camera is located 49 feet below the drop-off at the dive site and offers a view of the coral reef.
