microm's Journal

Greetings to all.
I have been on Maui for long enough that I have roamed around, observed, and tried to learn the Hawaiian names of flora and fauna.
I am still no more comfortable adding pictures directly from my phone, especially if I cannot get the subject and editing has not taken place.
I see that there are other observers on island, but we do not know one another, and my observations are seldom identified by others.
Let's hope we can help one another and possibly meet and observe together.
Mahalo

In September 2023, I decided to offer my volunteer services to the victims of the Lahaina Fires of August 8th. I stayed for a month and a half, returning to CA only to downsize and moved here in December.

I have taken so many pictures that my phone is ready to bust at the seems. In the very bright sunlight of Maui it is just about impossible to look at your phone until you get to some shady area.
I thank in advance the folks who will help me ID species I am not familiar with and i thank those that have helped me through the years I have been a member of iNat.
Sleeping in a car or at the beach is not the best situation to post and I really have to learn all the updates that have taken place.
I really miss being part of the team and hope to be back soon with a larger screen than a cell phone. At 66, I am getting cataract which is an added nuisance to the task of posting.
Best of everything to all for 2024.
Michele

My laptop took a drive at the beginning of December and my area of the mojave desert has not started blooming yet. So, until the laptop is repaired i will not be able to post new observations. This cell phone is tiny and tough to navigate. So, best of everything to all for the new year.

I have mixed feelings about my participation in iNaturalist.org

Having moved a few times in the past three or four years, I have had a tough time keeping up with trying to ID and trying to follow other people's observations.
Now, that I am in the Mojave Desert, hiking alone and not knowing the flora/fauna of this area very much, as well as not encountering other hikers with the same interests I have, I must say I feel somewhat discouraged.
Technology is surpassing me and all the changes seem overwhelming.
I am still posting one observation at a time and the obsolete way it eats up too much of my time.

I doubt too many people will read this but, in case someone does, I would welcome a suggestion because I would like to regain some confidence in the work that I have been doing in documenting my surroundings.

Thank you for reading me and Happy trails to all for 2017.

I would be more than happy to have company on my hikes considering that I feel like I know very little about the plants of the Mojave Desert and because I am very close to Highways 15, 40 and 58. So, anyone reading this post is welcome to contact me via private message should you be passing through here and wanting to explore this area.

I am not new to the Chaparral but indeed I am new to San Bernardino County, particularly the Mohave Desert. If anyone in or traveling through this area wants to hike and take pictures with me. Please contact me via messages. Hopefully, you will not mind my dog coming along because that what he has been doing for the past 11 years.
Thank you

To whomever reads this journal,

I am so far behind on posting pictures! From December 15th on, I have a lot of pictures on which to catch up cropping, posting and identifying.

From San Diego County birds to non-native plants of my neighborhood to a trip to Santa Cruz, CA at the end of the year...

Best wishes of health and great finds, on this beautiful water planet that we call home, to all iNaturalists observers.

Thank you all for all the help I have received and again Happy Trails to all.

Just a quick note to mention, to whomever is reading this journal, that an article about Crestridge, iNaturalist and the project I started 2 years ago as a volunteer, came out on December 3rd on Earth Discovery Institute's Newsletter, see below.

I have been wanting to get some help from other people who enjoy the site and might walk or ride around (mountain bikes on specific trails).

3,000 acres is a lot to cover, by foot, and my physical health is not allowing me the long hikes I used to crave and still crave! So, yeah, more observers, more botanists, more lepidopterists, more birders. BJ, "finatic" has helped the project tremendously, in just a few visits. Thanks buddy!

I hope the children who will visit and enjoy some outdoor education, at Cresridge, will also add their observations to this project.
I have hope it will grow in number of participants both observing and reconfirming identifications. :-)

http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=cc4045d6e594ee9d4aeb9f70a&id=b79c84431a&e=992dd3d399

While the flora needs just a few more rains to revive itself, I had a great time birding on both 11/23 & 11/24.

Some species are easily recognizable while others seem to be so hard to figure out. The small grey and yellow ones give me trouble!
Now, if all the information could remain in my brain, like markings, songs, flight patterns, male, female and juveniles looks... It's overwhelming.

I really appreciate all the help I have been getting from birders on iNat.
Not that you will read this post but I am really thankful for all the prompt identifications and the field guidance I have been receiving.

Great day with a couple of "iNaters." Still testing the new lens and getting better pictures of birds but branches seem to get in the way and birds on wires are just not as attractive as those in trees. Then, I forget all the names I am told...
Butterflies are still around and they are a delight!