Leaning about making observations
I have been posting to iNaturalist for a few weeks and here is what I have gleaned from my experiences and advice from the professionals (I am one of the little people)...I do have a background where I have had to write observations about people but not in the botanical arena. This list will be added to occasionally.
- post only one species if possible on a listing
- give as much information as you can about its location, what is near it, dimensions, smells, colours
- experts are happy to share more about the specimen to help you learn
- this site is tricky to navigate so don't give up. I swap between the app on my iPhone and the web page on the internet
- take your glasses with you when out on the field and check the quality of your photos as you go
- keep returning to the same location, this way you can deal with the information you are collecting and build on your observations with more information eg the trees growing near fungi and photographs of the same fungi in different stages of growth
- get as close as your camera will allow and photograph from several angles
- try to identify your observations - there’s a chance you will be right and a chance to learn
- don’t keep going on on adventures gathering photos because too many photos can be overwhelming
- be brave
