"Bring a book, and take the time to look at what you see. "
How I did it: Several years we got into the habit of buying the Audobon field guides for regions of the U.S. we travel too, and where we live. These books contain not just birds, but trees, flowers, mammals, fish, and so much more, including info on climate and geography, etc. They are very good for the beginner, or for someone new to an area. For instance I would not have known what a magpie was if not for my trusty book, having never seen on growing up in TN.
We always use ours to ID local flowers when hiking in spring, and the birds we see. We keep a highlighter so we can mark what we have seen before, and slowly we have learned many thing.
You will never know it all, but It does pay to get a book for the region where you are, and pay closer attention. We are now looking for more specific books on plants, bugs, and birds from our region so we can continue to learn more.
Lessons & tips: Some plants, like a yellow slipper, you will absolutely know, but some plants, like an anemone (not the sea creature) are just 1 of several similar species, you would need a very detail guide to know the difference, so sometimes, just satisfy yourself with knowing what it might be.
Resources: Audubon Regional Field Guides
Sibley's Guide to Birds
Wildflowers of TN, the OH valley, and southern appalachia
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Jan 14, 2009, 10:24AM PST
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