Quest for the commons!
So, I've been really enjoying the new observations screen the more I play with it (major kudos to @kueda @loarie @alexshepard @joelle @pleary ). It is also inspiring me to observe more of the common stuff... I know, I know, I know... I already observe LOTS of super common stuff, but the observation screen is providing me more reason to continue this.
For instance, when you search observations in Texas, view species, change the view to grid, then BAM -- you've got a digital field guide. Narrow it down to 'plants' or 'insects' and you've got the most frequently observed species in Texas. Narrow it down to county, and then you've got a species guide for that county/area... I'm loving it. :)
Some of the guides I like to use:
Birds of Texas:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=18&subview=grid&taxon_id=3&view=species
Plants of Texas:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=18&subview=grid&taxon_id=47126&view=species
Dragonflies/Damselflies of Texas:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=18&subview=grid&taxon_id=47792&view=species
Now, these need to be filled up with the common critters/plants! Here's some more encouragement to observe stuff, even if it's super common. :)
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Right before I presented to a group of kiddos at a Dallas Public Library, I went to this park to catch some bugs to show-and-tell. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Elizabeth and I went on some fabric hunting today, so of course, I spent some time in local parks. :)
I went over to Mouzon Park in McKinney while Elizabeth was at "Quilting is Happiness." I was pretty happy by this stream looking at dragonflies and plants. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Elizabeth and I went on some fabric hunting today, so of course, I spent some time in local parks. :)
I went over to Mouzon Park in McKinney while Elizabeth was at "Quilting is Happiness." I was pretty happy by this stream looking at dragonflies and plants. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Had today off, so I ran a few errands, and stopped by a park, of course. Was surprised (although not really) to see @bob777 at Southwest Nature Preserve! We walked around for a bit and spotted some more cool things. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Had today off, so I ran a few errands, and stopped by a park, of course. Was surprised (although not really) to see @bob777 at Southwest Nature Preserve! We walked around for a bit and spotted some more cool things. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
North American Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Had today off, so I ran a few errands, and stopped by a park, of course. Was surprised (although not really) to see @bob777 at Southwest Nature Preserve! We walked around for a bit and spotted some more cool things. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Had an awesome time with @dfwuw and @briang at Spring Creek Preserve in Garland -- this place was awesome! This was for the TPWD's Nature Tourism magazine for places to see nature in DFW. This place has a thumb's up! :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Stopped by Tyre Park in Arlington -- not the safest feeling park... but there was a pond and some nature. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Stopped by Tyre Park in Arlington -- not the safest feeling park... but there was a pond and some nature. :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Set up trail cam and caught a bobcat! :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Enjoyed going to Little Fossil Park in Haltom City this evening. :) I ran out of daylight though, so I'll have to come back -- next time with a dip net to catch some aquatics.
Photos / Sounds
What
Turkey Tangle Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)Observer
sambiologyDescription
Right before the North Texas Master Naturalist board meeting, I ate some dinner at this little park. :)
Comments
Sam, you are absolutely amazing and a wonderful cheerleader for us iNat folks... Thank you for your continued and contagious enthusiasm regarding iNat, TMN, TPWD and whatever other organizations you inspire. You have more influence than you can imagine in the state of Texas....
@sambiology This is great, Sam. Thanks!
Sam, you've addressed something that I have been thinking about asking. When I visit a new area, I tend to want to photograph everything, even the common stuff, at least once. I figure that at least it's documented one time in an area, although lately I've been backing off a bit. I agree with you that it's nice to have the visual of a digital field guide.
I agree with you 100% Sam.
Yes, I believe we should observe the common species in each area we visit, as the distribution of the common, or even so-called "ubiquitous" species, is often quite poorly recorded and understood, because in general most people don't pay attention to them.
And yes, the instant "digital field guide" feature is extremely useful! Using that feature, I immediately found a few wildly incorrect IDs that would have taken me a very long time to come across otherwise.
These new improvements to iNaturalist are really terrific. :) Tremendous thanks to the team that builds this fabulous structure for us to use!
I'm really enjoying the changes, too! I keep wondering though, are they working on a "previous/next photo" option? It seems crazy to have to open each one separately. Any idea?
I was similarly motivated when I went to some HIGHLY visited National Parks last month and saw they didn't have very many plant observations. Knowing pretty much nothing about southwestern flora, I just photographed everything I could that was blooming. I was taunted by the plants that only seemed to flower along roadsides where there was no good place to stop an RV...
I had no idea about making a field guide that way! I tried it with my state (NY) and there is a hilarious lack of observations, but the nearby state (VT) has totally rocked iNaturalist. Very helpful! And all that means is uncharted territory for me to explore if I stay in NY!
I love observing the common stuff, mostly because I have no idea which of it is common, as you've likely noticed with my TX observations. ;)
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