A naturalist is someone who loves to learn and explore the amazing living things in the natural world. The goal of this post is to help you kickstart exploration in a safe way. Whether you are going for a stroll around the block, hike, or a grand trek in the wilderness, one must be prepared. Whichever it is, you need to make sure you are not only prepared to explore but, also be prepared for anything nature throws your way.
Note: I recommend using the INaturalist app to collect your observations, and post your findings.
“There is always something to find, if you look closer.“
A Few Essentials
Fuel Yourself
- Food
- Water
No matter what season, always take enough food and water to last you for the duration of your trip. Water bottles and potentially up to five gallons of water in your vehicle. While this may seem obvious, it is commonly overlooked. People have died from overconfidence going out into the elements unprepared. Some even fail to bring a single bottle of water in extreme heat. Be safe, so that you can keep exploring.
Fuel your Car – Charge your Cell phone
It’s not a one way trip. Be sure to check the distance and your fuel gauge so you know you can make it home. In your excitement to get to the prime bird photography spot you do not want to run out of gas and then have your phone die. If that does happen, uploading your great photos when you get home will be the last thing on your mind.
- Full Gas Tank
- Full phone Charge
- Battery pack or car charger for your phone
Equipment and Practices
Don’t get lost
- Stick to the trail
- Keep track of time
- Have a compass or map of some kind
- Bring a flashlight (Not the one on your phone)
If you are traveling a long distance there is a risk of losing your way back. In this case taking a wrong turn on a trail can put you in a bad situation. Keep track of time so you do not end up walking the trail in the dark. I’d highly recommend not leaving the trail or stay within eye shot. Walking a trail at night could lead to taking the the wrong path or could increase danger from obstacles. To this end always be situationally aware make sure to keep note of holes, uneven ground or fall hazards like branches. One simple solution is to bring a reliable flashlight. This can help you navigate a tough situation and make it back to safety.
Take appropriate clothing
- Bring good closed toed shoes (No flip flops)
- Bring a Jacket in case of weather
- A hat in case of excessive sun and heat
Pick and choose appropriate attire depending on the area and the time of year where you are traveling. Footwear is of vital importance especially for longer distances. Support, traction, and protection are the roles that your shoes must provide for you. Comfortable closed toed shoes with some good tread are ideal.
Recording and documenting
- Imaging/Photography
- Jewelers Loop/Macro Lens for the smaller creatures
- Cell phone/Point and Shoot cameras for close range casual observations
- Telephoto or binoculars for long distances
- Notebook and Pen
- Record observations of behavior to potentially compare to creatures/organisms corresponding location
Really small insects and plants are great targets, but you need some magnification to really get a food look. A jewelers loop or macro lens can help pick up more detail than you can with just your eye. A cell phone or point and shoot camera are great for photographing plants, animals, and insects at close range. Although in some situations you may need longer zoom, telephoto lends or binoculars to close the distance. Some animals may be more likely to run away if you get close. From the opposite end these tells can help you observe animals that you should keep your distance from, like a bear for example.
To this day I haven’t found a plant or fungi that could outrun me. These stationary targets can be found anywhere, including your back yard. If you are just starting to photograph species its great to start with easy targets to start with. Be aware that just because these creatures are small or slow moving there can still be real risk, so please study your target before trying to interact with them.
Know the dangers
Know the dangers. Nature is pretty, but it can be dangerous and environments could make them more so. While most people might immediately think of bears, mountain lions, and snakes these tend to be less common. Plants, insects, and certain fungi can prove to be just as dangerous. Unlike with large animals the risks tend to be less physical and more biochemical. So here is my simple golden rules when it comes to plants.
Know which plants you should avoid touching.
Never eat any plant while on a trek even if you think you know what it is. Some plants are extremely toxic and have proven to be fatal, even with immediate access to medical care.
This pretty little purple flower I found in Alaska is called Aconitum delphiniifolium. More casually known as monkshood or wolfsbane. These plants were historically used to poison and kill wolves that weigh more than I do. I took the picture on the top left before eating… I was lucky and didn’t poison myself. Toxic plants should be identified and avoided. Please learn from my mistake, learn the plants you should not handle! I follow my rule to never eat any plants I find on a trek. Not only because I am not knowledgeable enough, but because a mistake could be fatal. See Dangerous plants
Finally after a trek in vegetation check your crevices for ticks. Know which spiders/insects are in your area that might have venomous bites to try and avoid them.
Be informed, prepared and have fun exploring.
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