[wisb] Re: Book, recording ideas
- From: jerry937975@xxxxxxx
- To: ontheloose7@xxxxxxxxx, pastoral@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:37:39 -0400
I understand exactly what Al is asking. You cannot possibly carry all the field
guides necessary to identify those interesting things that you come across as a
birder, whether it be a wildflower (1100 species), butterfly (155 species),
dragonfly or damselflies (160 species), bird (400 + species), mammal ( 70
species, give or take), well, you get the point. Nor as Emily stated could a
single field guide possibly do it justice. So I resolve the problem by trying
to keep some of the field guides in the car for reference, but don't carry them
at all while in the field. For those interesting specimens I come across that
catch my interest, a small digital camera with the combination of decent zoom
and macro abilities will capture it well enough generally for identification at
home. The computer is an awesome and under-utlized tool in identification of
plants and insects (and birds too). You can easily zoom in to see the finest of
details.
Here's an example of what can be captured with a standard digital camera and
then zoomed in on a computer. As you can see, the detail is exceptional and
will allow virtually anything to be properly identified. Those days of "can't
identify in the field" are virtually gone if you can get a proper photograph.
Here's the example of an abdominal tip of a damselfly:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geraldd/3907863115/in/photostream
Keep in mind that this level of detail is achievable (patience required) with
many of your standard point and shoot cameras! It does not take a thousand
dollar camera. Digital cameras are THE way to document those types of
sightings. Photograph the insects via the macro feature of the camera or take a
photo of a wildflower and a couple shots of the stem and leaves, etc. and
there's not too much you cannot identify. Add to that the various online
resources where they help with identification and you can hardly go wrong.
I am far from an expert on many things in nature, but I love to learn something
new each time I go out. Thanks to documenting what I find with my digital
camera, I've been able to acquire a great deal of new knowledge for my own
county and I'm working on building a complete database for those things I find
within the county. It is a work in process, but each time I add something new,
I feel I accomplished something worthwhile. For those interested, the
information I've gathered on Racine County can be seen here:
www.racinecountyoutdoors.com
Bring your camera!
Jerry DeBoer
Central Racine County
-----Original Message-----
From: Emily Stone <ontheloose7@xxxxxxxxx>
To: pastoral@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, Apr 28, 2011 1:32 pm
Subject: [wisb] Re: Book, recording ideas
I came to birding and naturalizing all at once (at birth), and have training in
otany.
I'm not sure what would be different about plant and animal ID for birder's
pecifically, (I do use binoculars to look at tree leaves sometimes :-)
ut I can recommend a flower guide that I like:
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide has a simple dichotmous key, and is also arranged by
lower color and type. It's a classic.
While that doesn't allow you to identify everything, it's a start.
My solution is usually to carry just my bird book and my flower book. Almost
verything else I can remember until I get home.
When I worked in Utah there was a fantastic Falcon Guide called "Naturalists
uide to Canyon Country" that had birds, fish, plants, geology, everything! It
as a great resource, but there isn't one like that for Wisconsin that I've ever
seen. A book like that leaves out a lot, too. Your best bet is just to bird
ith friends who are naturalists and can be your walking field guides! Also
emember the educational philosphy that answering questions right away,
specially about ID, can sometimes quiet the curious mind. Often if a person
as to work a little harder to solve a natural mystery they will retain the
nformation longer, and also be inspired to seek out more information.
Cheers,
Emily Stone
aturalist/Educator
able Natural History Museum
able, WI
ayfield County
_______________________________
rom: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
o: mou-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; mnbird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
IRDCHAT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
ent: Thu, April 28, 2011 12:50:32 PM
ubject: [wisb] Book, recording ideas
Two potential birding/naturalist tools hit me in the last couple of days:
* "Plant & Animal Identification for the Birder" - so many of us did not
ome into birding through naturalism/biology, and still have not penetrated
he depths and mysteries of what else is around us. As a field trip leader,
ne hears many questions, yet it's simply not cost or trip effective to
arry the ten extra specialized guides that handle all the flora and fauna.
f course, such books or tools would have to be regional in outlook.
* "Flight Calls" - so many of the IPhone apps/CD's & related tools primarily
over the songs, but don't cover flight (or other) calls - half of our field
D issues.
Of course, if either of these books/tools exist, let us know!
Al Schirmacher
rinceton, MN
ille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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