Tips for Making Great Observations

City Nature Challenge starts tomorrow, so get ready to start observing! All observations are good observations, but there are certain things you can do to make your observations great! A great observation doesn't have the most artistic, Instagram-worthy photos; it has photos that make it easy for others to identify what you find. Below are some tips to help you make your observations the best they can be!

Plants

• Take photos from multiple angles and of all parts of the plant (flower, leaves, leaf arrangement, bark, needles, etc)
• Take a photo of the whole plant to show it's general shape and growth pattern
• Include a pencil, coin, shoe or hand for scale
• Place your hand or a piece of paper behind the plant to help your camera focus
• Avoid dappled light. Full sun or full shade make it easier to distinguish colors and patterns
• For fungi, take a photo of what it is growing on (tree trunk, leaf litter, grass, etc.)
• Do not pick flowers. Leave them for others to enjoy!

Animals

• Use your phone's built-in camera to take photos (not within the iNaturalist App), then add them into iNat after you're done. This will be faster, so you can get more photos before the critter gets away
• Take one photo as soon as you see the animals, then take more as you approach. If the animal runs away at least you have one picture
• Take photos from multiple angles if you can
• Try to capture details such as facial marking and wing patterns
• If you have binoculars or a scope, you can try taking a photo through those lenses
• Remain a safe distance from animals and do not handle them
• Do not use food or calls to attract animals

Bugs

• Approach slowly to avoid startling the bug into flying or hopping away
• Take photos from as many angles as possible to include all identifying markers and shapes
• For moths and butterflies, try to photograph both the top and underside of wings, which can look very different and have identifying markers
• Include a photo of the plant or habitat the bug was found on. Some bugs prefer certain plants
• Do not handle any bugs you are unfamiliar with

Another way you can make it easier for people to identify your observation is by always including something as the identification, even if it's just "Bird" or "Plant". Identifiers will search for certain categories they have knowledge in and they will use keywords like "Reptiles". But if you leave your ID section blank, they will never find your observation!

Posted on April 26, 2018 03:09 PM by jesshawk