If you have gotten started on your naturalist journey, you probably started making observations. (https://natashazimmers.wixsite.com/website/post/becoming-a-naturalist-the-beginning)
Did you notice the way the leaves look in the sun?
Did you notice the songs of the birds?
Did you notice that your bum was wet because you sat on a log that looked dry but actually wasn’t?
Now that you have been visiting your space regularly, you have probably started establishing what it's usually like. What kinds of plants and animals are there? If there is water, what is the water level like during this season? Have you spotted any animal signs during your visits?
If journaling is your jam, you might document some of these observations in your journal with sketches, notes, or photographs. Or maybe you’ll make a recording of yourself talking about it. Or perhaps you will record a short video. Be sure to note the date, time of day, location, weather and anything else future you might want to remember (Core Routines).
As you establish this baseline, it sets you up to start noticing changes or things that are unusual. Do you spot a plant that is new to you? Hear a bird call you haven’t heard before? Notice the water is higher or lower than your last visit? Until you know what “usual” is, you can’t start to recognize “unusual”!
I expect you will find yourself noticing so many more changes in the seasons and nature than you did before you started this naturalist journey.
I hope you have fun!
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