Page 32 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

FIELD GUIDES, ONLINE guides and identification tools into the field.
RESOURCES, AND SWEAT EQUITY Online resources like oksnakes.org, the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds, and the
Identifying plants and animals can be a daunt-
U.S. Forest Service’s bumble bee guides often
ing but worthwhile endeavor. Building this skill
have more information than can be printed on
can take years, calls for a lot of patience and
the pages of a physical guide, and may include
attention to detail, and often leads to memo-
multimedia content like sound files and videos
rable — if not sometimes frustrating — time
that simply can’t be printed.
spent in nature. Thankfully, countless resources
and identification tools are available that suit a NATURE APPS
variety of learning styles.
Many free nature sharing apps like iNatu-
ralist and eBird include information about
the species you’ve spotted, and some apps
(we’re looking at you iNat) can actually pro-
vide identification recommendations when a
photo is uploaded.
Beyond these sighting-oriented apps, a
glut of nature apps and identification tools
are waiting to be downloaded to your device.
Some, like Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Lab
of Ornithology, are free, while others come
with a nominal price tag. Apps like the Sibley
Birds 2nd Edition combine features of print-
ed field guides with the ability to search
recordings and keep a personal log of your
FIELD GUIDES bird sightings.
Printed field guides are a treasured part of
many naturalists’ skill-building experience. NATURE SIGHTINGS HELP FILL
They come in all shapes and sizes; may be GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE
hard cover, spiral bound, or foldable; fea-
As passionate and dedicated as
ture illustrations or photographs; and include
Oklahoma’s biologists are, they can’t docu-
species found across continents, regions, or
ment every incredible animal and plant found
individual states. As for the “best” guide, it’s
in every corner of the state every hour of the
the one you will actually use. We recommend
day. Instead, they conduct targeted surveys
visiting a local library or bookstore to win-
during key times, often on public lands, and
dow-shop the best fit for you. If you plan on
rely on nature enthusiasts to help fill in the
taking your guide afield, be sure to consid-
knowledge gaps throughout the year.
er the weight and size … smaller, soft-bound
Sharing sightings not only makes you
copies often make for friendlier trail com-
more aware of the natural world around you,
panions. (P.S. Used guides may come with a
but can also be key to statewide conserva-
cheaper price tag and may include helpful
tion efforts. Scan the
notes from the previous owner!)
code to watch a video
of James Hung as he
ONLINE RESOURCES
shares why nature sight-
If you have a smartphone with a data plan,
ings are so valuable.
you’re already carrying an untold number of free

30 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA