#amateur naturalist

[fshoulders]

“I found a cool bird feather with my nibling and want to model respect for the Migratory Bird Act [so not keep it] but the kid can’t stand simply walking away from something beautiful and lucky like this!”

“I want an app that helps me ID animals and plants but isn’t scummy or full of ads!”

“I want my kids to be able to easily participate in citizen science while maintaining their privacy!”

(I was just going to add more things for iNaturalist but when I realized my first couple of things worked for Seek, I…spent my morning doing this. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

"I hate when I try to identify a cool bug I found and all I see are pest control sites :("

"I saw this cool bug/bird/whatever but Idk what it is"

"I want to learn more about the animals/plants around me but Idk where to start"

"I wish I could do something to help scientists/biologists with research and conservation but Idk how"

[sunflowersareonfire]

Nature Memo #1

I decided to go on a little adventure over the weekend since I had three days off (I generally work on the weekends and am almost always on-call for crisis situations). I picked up a new journal so that I could collect plant samples and press them. I've been intending to do this for way too long (2011) but have not gotten around to doing it until now.

I find nature to be mesmerizing and way too often taken for granted. Parks are great, and those with unpaved nature trails are even better. But even then, they are taken for granted.

In any event, below are the list of observations that I made. This is incomplete because I did not include the trees and shrubs that were observed. Of the 29 listed items below, 10 were ones that I had not previously recorded, so I'm pretty excited about that. The total number of living species (plants, insects, birds, reptiles, fungi, arachnids, mammals, fish, mollusks, amphibians, and other species) that I have recorded (as in, photographed, dated, and confirmed the species of) is now 276.

Plants observed (all pressed!)

Oxalis triangularis, False Shamrock

Narcissus poeticus, Poet’s Narcissus

Achillea millefolium, Common Yarrow

Muscari neglectum, Grape Hyacinth

Galium aparine, Catchweed Bedstraw

Stellaria media, Common Chickweed

Oxalis violacea, Violet Woodsorrel

Vinca minor, Lesser Periwinkle

Bowlesia incana, Hoary Bowlesia

Narcissus tazetta, Bunch-flowered Daffodil

Veronica persica, Bird’s-eye Speedwell

Valerianella locusta, Common Cornsalad

Allium vineale, Wild Garlic

Cardamine hirsuta, Hairy Bittercress

Ranunculus hispidus, Bristly Buttercup

Ornithogalum umbellatum, Common Star-of-Bethlehem

Houstonia pusilla, Tiny Bluet

Viola bicolor, American Field Pansy

Claytonia virginica, Virginia Spring Beauty

Insects observed

Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Black Carpenter Ant

Papilio rutulus, Western Tiger Swallowtail (Butterfly)

Coleomegilla maculata, Spotted Pink Ladybeetle

Polistes Carolina, Red Wasp

Eurema lisa, Little Yellow (Butterfly)

Celastrina ladon, Spring Azure (Butterfly)

Amphibians observed

Pseudacris crucifer, Spring Pepper (Frog)

Fungi observed

Trametes versicolor, Turkey-tail

Cladonia evansii, Evan’s Deer Moss

Arachnids observed

Oxyopes salticus, Striped Lynx Spider

Next step is to let the pressed plans dry, followed by labeling, dating, notes on GPS coordinates for each sample, as well as information on whether it it is edible, seasonal growth, and if I am feeling particularly brave I will attempt to draw them.

All of these samples were taken in Arkansas between Siloam Springs, Pea Ridge National Battlefield, and Bella Vista.

[carlopicenni]

[aroaessidhe]

faves of 2023: historical sff/horror or historical fiction

The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

Before The Devil Knows You’re Here

Our Hideous Progeny

Winter Tide

Sailing By Carina’s Star (ok this is the only non-sff one lol)

[haveyoureadthispoll]

Aspiring young naturalist Celeste Rossan is determined to live a life of adventure and scientific discovery. But when her father loses everything, Celeste’s hopes of ever leaving her home town are dashed… until she sees a narrow opportunity to escape to Paris and attend the 1867 Exposition Universelle. Celeste seizes her chance, but the elements overwhelm her before she can make it five miles. In desperation, she seeks refuge in an abandoned chateau only to find herself trapped inside the den of an unknown species: a predator with an intelligence that rivals any human. It’s the discovery of a lifetime. Or, it will be, if Celeste can earn the beast’s trust without losing her nerve – or her heart – to her in the process.

[lionraeart]

sketches as consumed by the fire, by Celeste Rossan, winter 1867

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[amentainsularis]

As strong winds blow and pots fall off balconies, I like to rescue plants and try to resuscitate them.

It’s the first time I’m taking care of cyclamens, the soil I used is not optimal but I’ll do my best to keep it alive and thriving!

[mid-nighttiger]

fictional media that do not accurately represent real wildlife:

the silt verses (great crested shrike)

malevolent (great horned owl)

dishonored (hagfish)

fictional media that accurately represent real wildlife:

dishonored (pied avocet)

fictional media that represent real wildlife way too accurately:

jedi: fallen order (that's a whole entire brown pelican my dude)

[nellasbookplanet]

I'm gonna start keeping a running list of historical france-inspired fantasy books, ranked by how well they handle themes of colonialism and othering;

1. A+ aka very well but you'll probably be uncomfortable reading it because it shows it all from the inside

The Unbroken

The Moon and the Sun

2. Colonialism? What’s that? aka we're just going to pretend that’s all Not A Thing so we can focus on romance and won’t have to think about the uncomfortable implications of the setting

The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist

3. Yikes

Serpent & Dove

[oneidiotwithasword]

it’s always so nice when you find a sapphic fantasy written by a local author and it hits just right

[carlopicenni]

[readtilyoudie]

I ran a fond hand through the pony’s mane as I unhooked his reins from a low branch.

The squat, storm-coloured creature was an object of some ridicule amongst some of my peers. I’d heard Madeline De Villiers and Édith Gassion giggling about it once in town, whispering loudly enough within earshot to ensure I’d heard them.  ‘She could have anything in the world, and she chose that queer little thing? It’s practically a mule.’

‘It seems only appropriate. A queer little horse for a queer little girl.’ 

I hitched my skirt, setting a boot in the pony’s stirrup and pulled myself up into the saddle in one easy movement. Madeline had been right. I could have had any horse I wanted, and I had chosen one I could mount without a stool or a stablehand to help me. I had chosen independence, and they had chosen to be insufferable. 

My God, I wish I’d thought to say that at the time. 

The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist (Celeste Rossan, #1) by Ceinwen Langley

[typhlonectes]

NEW BOOKS:

California Amphibians and Reptiles

Robert Hansen and Jackson D. Shedd

A spectacularly illustrated field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of California

California is home to more than 200 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in an extraordinary array of habitats, from coastal temperate rainforests with giant redwoods to southeastern deserts offering dazzling wildflower displays each spring.  California Amphibians and Reptiles covers every species and subspecies in this biodiverse region of the United States, with outstanding color photography and in-depth species accounts that draw on the latest findings on taxonomy and distribution. Setting a new standard for regional field guides, this state-of-the-art guide will serve as the definitive reference for California’s amphibian and reptile fauna for many years to come.

Covers all 209 species of amphibians and reptiles found in California

Features hundreds of stunning photos that illustrate geographic and within-species variation as well as differences among males, females, and young

Includes first-ever color images and species accounts for newly discovered species

Shows every species and subspecies in full color on a white background

Depicts all amphibian larvae in breathtaking color

Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, similar species, habitat, range and elevation, activity and behavior, diet, reproduction, and conservation

Provides updated status of all threatened, endangered, nonnative, and special concern species

Accurate range maps reflect contemporary and, where applicable, historical distributions in light of significant habitat loss across the state

An invaluable resource for amateur naturalists, resource managers, and professional herpetologists

COMING OUT JANUARY 2024!

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691249070/california-amphibians-and-reptiles

[shelandsorcery]

at what point after grad school should you hook up with your childhood bestie, do you think?

(still not at 100% of my prior drawing skill and comfort but it was fun to break out procreate again for the first time in a while!)

some great wyrms migrating in a flock, and two ambitious amateur supernaturalists who can't believe they timed this properly

[inesvazquezart]

2 pages from the graphic novel that is currently brewing besides the Zelda zine. Catching a rhythm with color at last.

Color is always really challenging for me, and always feels so daunting, specially when it comes to the first pages. This project is really special and the want to get it “perfect” can fill one with doubts. I found myself doing minimal color changes, that were barely noticeable to the first batch of pages instead of advancing just for fear of screwing it up. I figured that if i kept down that road I wouldn’t be able to stick to the planned schedule. Now I’m finally able to not be so hard on the results and focus on going forward despite the doubts.

But lets tell you a little more about the characters!

The lady in blue is Severine, a young girl who as an amateur naturalist has a small collection of specimens at her attic. She’s noticed that some of them are gone, the salamanders in particular. Usually is her little sister, Elisa the one that messes around with her stuff, but the little demon insists in her not being the culprit this time.