You’ve made the decision to learn more about nature, to move past the generalities of “pine trees" and “songbirds" and learn the specific names of various species, as well as something about their life cycle and their place in your habitat. How do you begin.

1. You’ve made the
Choosing & Using decision to learn more
about nature, to move
past the generalities of
“pine trees" and
Field Guides “songbirds" and learn
the specific names of
For more nature habitat information various species, as well
Visit these helpful websites: as something about
A Plant's Home their life cycle and their
A Bird's Home place in your habitat.
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How do you begin.
U nless you are lucky enough
to have a mentor who will
take you into the woods and
share years of accumulated
knowledge with you, it is likely
that you are going to turn to
field guides for help. The number
and variety of these guides on
the market today is
astounding.
This wealth of information is
certainly wonderful, but it can
also be overwhelming. The trick
is not in finding a guidebook, but
in finding the right guidebook for
your needs and your learning
style.
Finding a Field Guide
Finding field guides is as easy
as a trip to the local bookstore
or library.
If you travel, you will often find
books geared specifically to
each geographical area, and
these can add a lot of interest
to your trip.
Nature centers are a good
source of guides, wildlife
magazines suggest many mail-
order sources, and most large
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2. cities now have at least one necessarily match the photo
“...each plant is unique;
store devoted to nature and unless you are looking at it at
each has its own stories,
wildlife. the same time of year and at
legends, and
the same point in its life cycle.
superstitions and its
Nurseries frequently offer own uses for medicine,
field guides to plants, and your food, magic or beauty – in Drawings or paintings, on the
local County Extension Service short, each has its own other hand, generally include
or Government Printing Office folklore. Learning this the flower, leaves, seed
are other sources of folklore is an excellent capsules, and other distinctive
information, as are botanical way to begin to truly characteristics and are useful
gardens and special interest know the plants – their no matter what time of year
organizations, such as native nicknames and proper you begin your search.
plant societies. names, their virtues and
uses, and their tales and Ideally, your personal library
legends."
Don’t neglect the children’s should eventually include both
area of the bookstore or library. – Wildflower Folklore types of guidebooks.
Although guides designed for Laura Martin
younger readers won’t go into Those books which rely on
as much detail, they are a great photographs are often arranged
way to get the whole family according to dominant colors.
little printed material available.
involved and often have larger, For example, a wildflower guide
clearer illustrations than adult Most sites will also suggest might be broken down into
links to additional resources.
books.
In this electronic age, action
Additionally, check out the Tree Shapes
categories marked “Nature and sound can become part of
Writing" or “Ecology." While not your guides when you choose
videos, CD ROM’s, or cassettes. Pyramidal Conical Columnar
traditional field guides, these
books often offer not only
methods of identification, but
also a sense of humanity’s Choosing a Field Guide
relationship to nature. Here you Most guidebooks are
can find such diverse topics as illustrated, but some use
Native American uses for photographs (generally in color)
plants, wildflower folklore, while others rely on drawings Spreading Vase-shaped
conservation efforts on public (sometimes in color). Both have
lands, or ways to use your their merits.
knowledge of nature to develop
survival skills. Some people, especially
beginning naturalists, find it
If you have access to the easier to recognize a specimen
Internet, whether at home or from a photograph, and feel Broad Rounded
through computers at the more comfortable with color
library, you will discover a wealth pictures because they “look
of online field guides. These can real." These do, however, have
be especially helpful when their limitations.
researching a subject such as
dragonflies where there are The field specimen you are
–Audubon Society,
many family members yet very trying to identify won’t Field Guide to North American Trees
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3. “yellow flowers," “red flowers," that you just want to identify good chance that you will get
and so on. Once again, this is those species in your own area, only a fleeting glimpse of a bird
good for the naturalist who is then a regional guide will simplify in constant motion. In that
relying on more obvious your task by eliminating the case you need a guide which is
characteristics to make the butterflies which aren’t likely to small and portable but which
identification, and can work well be found in your backyard. clearly indicates specific
if used during the blooming identifying characteristics, plus
season. Seasonal guides may also be of offers good information on
interest to you. Some books habitat and song.
Other guides are grouped by specialize, for instance, in field
species which have similar marks available in winter, such as Beginners will be more
characteristics, and still others tree bark or animal tracks, while concerned about general
by “families" which are arranged others highlight autumn traits appearance, while those who are
alphabetically by their Latin like leaf color, seed pods, and more experienced will look for in-
names. fruit. Habitat-based guides can depth material such as
be helpful too, concentrating on illustrations of alternate
Generally the common names specific surroundings, such as plumage (on younger birds,
will also be listed in the index, wetlands or deserts. adults in different seasons,
but these can be unreliable etc.).
since they often vary from When choosing a field guide,
region to region in the country. think about how you intend to Obviously, the more
The Latin names, or “scientific use it. If you are interested in information on each species
nomenclature," may seem bird identification and will do that is included, the less
intimidating at first, but they most of your bird watching from portable the book will be. As a
become more familiar with use your picture window, with the rule, the best time to identify
and can offer a surprising same birds repeatedly visiting wildlife is in the field, while you
amount of information on their your feeders, then you will be able are looking at the specimen
own about each species. to study them in a more leisurely and can check details, so at
manner, gradually absorbing the least one of your guides
Using Latin names will also details of their appearance. should be pocket-sized.
make it easier to be sure that
you are looking up exactly the On the other hand, if you’re As you think about how you’ll
same species in different books. walking in the woods there is a be using your guide, give each
Another consideration is the
scope of the guide. You will find
that some books cover the
world, while others concentrate Parts of a Bird
on North America, and still
others narrow their view to a
specific state or region.
If you are fascinated by
butterflies and love seeing the
variety that nature has
provided, then you might enjoy a
guide that illustrates those
insects from all over the world.
If, however, you have decided – Stokes, Field Guide to Birds
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 3 A Plant's Home

4. book a test. Choose a species Virtually all field guides, hand lens (magnifying glass, 6X
that you already know, pretend regardless of subject matter, to 10X magnification).
that you have spotted it for the will include for each example
first time, and see how easy it the size, color, habitat, range Birds are often too far away to
is to “identify" with each book. (where it is found), appearance see details clearly with the
Use the same example for all at different times of the year, naked eye, and small wildflowers
the books that you are food or soil preferences, and can often only be differentiated
considering. It is likely that you some remarks about similar- by very tiny characteristics.
will find variations in how quickly looking species. There are small binoculars on the
you are able to eliminate the market which will focus at closer
“wrong" species, the helpfulness Most will also have a section distances, making them handy
of the illustrations, the amount on “How to Use This Guide." It is for studying butterflies and
of information about the worth taking the time to read other insects, and magnifying
species, and the general level of these pages, because they will lenses which fold up into cases
comfort that you feel while include the symbols and so that they are easier to carry
using the book. abbreviations used in the text, in a pocket.
information on how the book is
As a rule, the quickest arranged, charts showing the It is best to do your
identification takes place when labeled parts of the wildlife or identification in the field but, if
all the information about each plants upon which the book is that isn’t possible, plant
species – picture, range, and based, often an illustration of material can be saved in your
information – is located on a the various species in book or a plant press and
single page. Don’t be silhouette, and a wealth of brought home for further study.
discouraged if it seems to take other material, including
a long time to make an suggestions for additional Include as many parts of the
identification when you first reading. plant as possible (stem or twig,
begin. Practice is the best leaf, blossom) and make notes
teacher, and soon you’ll find As you about other characteristics
that you can more quickly explore your (bark, soil, fruit).
narrow your choices. environment,
it will be very Never take plants which are
Using a Field Guide helpful to endangered, and don’t take
Before going out in the field, have both a good set of samples when there are only a
be sure that you are familiar binoculars (at least 7x35, which few of them growing in a given
with the appearance of plants means a magnification of 7 area. In those instances, a
to avoid, in particular poison ivy, through a 35 mm lens), plus a photograph is a much better
poison oak, poison sumac, and alternative. In addition, as you
Stinging Nettle. study your specimen, be careful
Poison Ivy where you put your feet and your
Never eat any fruit or equipment, taking care not to
mushrooms unless you are crush surrounding vegetation.
certain beyond any possible
doubt that what you are eating When studying wildlife, keep a
isn’t poisonous. Don’t rely on respectful distance away to be
wildlife for clues as to safety. sure that your presence doesn’t
One of the favorite foods of scare the animal, and also that
many birds is Poison-ivy berries! it doesn’t alert potential
Be sure to teach your children predators to a nest or other
the same safely rules. – Golden Guide, Weeds hiding place. The most
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 4 A Plant's Home

5. important part of studying can be helpful when you try to Nature identification relies
nature is learning to respect remember what you have seen, as much on eliminating
and care for it. and they can also be used to possibilities as it does on
educate others. matching up characteristics. If
Taking notes on what you you are trying to identify a
identify will both enhance your As you work with your field tree with deeply lobed leaves,
enjoyment and increase your guides, you will start to learn you might first eliminate all
learning. You might want to jot what characteristics are most those without similar leaves,
things down in the margins of helpful when attempting to and then consider more
your book or keep a separate identify a species. detailed characteristics
journal, but it is definitely among the species that
worth establishing the habit of For example, a beginner seeing remain. Many plant guides are
keeping records. a bird usually notices the color set up in this manner, asking
first, and perhaps the general you to make a series of choices
Your notes should include size. The experienced bird which will gradually narrow your
the species, whether it is male watcher knows that search to just a few possible
or female (if appropriate), identification is easier if one has matches.
where you found it, the date, taken note of smaller
the surrounding habitat, and characteristics, such as eye As you gain in knowledge, you
any unusual characteristics or rings, head patches, and beak will probably find that you want
behavior. Start to notice shape. more than one field guide for
patterns. Looking back over each category that you’re
your notes will give you a Similarly when studying studying. Take your time and
deeper appreciation for the flowers, the color of the blossom build your library gradually,
cycles of nature as you realize, may catch your eye, but you’ll making notes on what you have
for example, that a quickly learn to notice the found helpful in your current
hummingbird reappears at your number of petals and the type guide, and what you wish it
feeder on the same date each and placement of the leaves. offered in additional material.
year.
Which Guide To Buy
Unlike humans, the rest of When all is said and done,
Leaf Arrangement& Types
nature responds to an eternal, which field guide is the best.
Alternate Opposite Whorled
unchanging clock, and that can As you may have gathered,
be very reassuring to those of there is no definitive answer to
us dependent on the that question. Your own
sometimes whimsical and ever- experiences will ultimately
changing demands of work and Palmately determine the best books for
family. Simple Compound
your needs.
Don’t stop with just keeping In the meantime, the
a written record of your following series of guides come
discoveries. There are many highly recommended by many
ways to “collect" nature as you Even-pinnately
nature lovers and would be a
compound
learn about it. Taking pictures good place to start:
is an obvious choice, and you
might decide to create a • Stokes
Odd-
series of specialty albums – pinnately Bipinnately • National Geographic
compound
mushrooms, animal tracks, compound
• Peterson
seed pods, and so on. These – Golden Field Guide, Trees of North America • Audubon
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 5 A Plant's Home

6. Most botanists and more
RESOURCES
advanced naturalists also
recommend Newcomb’s
Books
Wildflower Guide for its
s Butterflies Through Binoculars,
nearly foolproof key system.
Jeffrey Glassberg
While not a traditional field
s Mushrooms of North America,
guide, Mary Blocksma’s book,
Orson K. Miller
Naming Nature, A Seasonal
Guide for the Amateur
s Common Plants of the
Naturalist will be very
Mid-Atlantic Coast, Gene Silberhorn
inspiring. The author begins:
“One day I was gazing out my
s North American Wildlife, Reader’s Digest
window at a stretch of trees
when I was suddenly struck
s Owls, An Introduction for the Amateur Naturalist,
with the realization that I
Gorden Dee Alcorn
couldn’t name any of them."
s A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold
This started her on a year-
long project to name just a
s The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats, Janine Benyus
few parts of the wildlife in her
environment each week. Many
Internet
of her experiences will
s For dragonflies:
resemble your own, and the
www.dragonflies.org/catalog.htm
results are very readable as
well as informative.
s For butterflies:
www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/
In the end, as Mary
bflyusa.htm
Blocksma writes and so
many of us have felt, “...What
brings me joy is more than
knowing names. Many names,
like last summer’s This article was written by Maryland Master Wildlife Habitat
wildflowers, have already Naturalist Cathy Gilleland.
faded away. It was the
process of naming that drew For more information or for the name of a Master Wildlife
me like a magnet into a Habitat Naturalist in your area, please contact:
magnificence of green, pulled
me into flowers, opened my WindStar Wildlife Institute
ears to the cadences of
birds. For the first time, I E-mail: wildlife@windstar.org
really feel like taking care of http://www.windstar.org
things."
Gather your field guides
and start today to learn and WindStar Wildlife Institute is a national, non-profit, conservation
care for nature, and be sure organization whose mission is to help individuals and families
to share your knowledge and establish or improve the wildlife habitat on their properties.
inspiration with others.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 6 A Plant's Home