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