This document provides tips for using the iNaturalist app to get more out of nature walks and hikes. It discusses the author's journey with iNaturalist and how to find species to observe before a hike. It also gives tips for observing different types of organisms like plants, fungi, insects and birds. It provides locations and strategies for tidepooling, dock fouling, night hiking and moth watching. Finally, it discusses ways to get involved with the iNaturalist community.

1. Ne Level Naturalizing
with Chloe Van Loon
Rundown:
1. Personal Journey to and with iNaturalist
2. How to Get MORE out of a hike
3. “Next Level Naturalizing” Activities
a. Photo Tips
b. Resources
4. Awesome Opportunities from using iNat &
why YOU should too!

2. Pre-iNaturalist

3. Pre-iNaturalist

4. Pre-iNaturalist

5. iNaturalist Journey
Yucatan Wren
March 2017

6. iNaturalist Journey
Yucatan Wren
March 2017
Blueblossom
Inflated Beetle
Spring 2019

7. iNaturalist Journey
Yucatan Wren
March 2017
Blueblossom
Diamondback Tritonia
Inflated Beetle
Cortinarius Seidliae
Spring 2019

8. iNatting Obsession iNaturalist Username: chloe_and_trevor

9. iNatting Obsession iNaturalist Username: chloe_and_trevor

10. iNatting Obsession iNaturalist Username: chloe_and_trevor
https://www.inaturalist.org/stats/2020/chloe_and_trevor

11. iNatting Obsession iNaturalist Username: chloe_and_trevor
https://www.inaturalist.org/stats/2020/chloe_and_trevor
YEAR YOUR USERNAME

12. Let’s go iNatting!
But before we head out. . .

13. Before heading out. . .
Explore Function for Marin County:

14. Ne Level, Before heading out. . .
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=231
9&subview=map&view=species
Explore Function for Marin County:

15. Ne Level, Before heading out. . .
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=231
9&subview=map&view=species
Explore Function for Marin County:
Add to end of url:
&unobserved_by_user_id=insert your iNat username

16. Ne Level, Before heading out. . .
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=231
9&subview=map&view=species
Explore Function for Marin County:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=2319&subvie
w=map&view=species&unobserved_by_user_id=chloe_and_trevor
Add to end of url:
&unobserved_by_user_id=insert your iNat username

17. Now send that link to your phone
Android: Apple:

18. iNaturalist’s Buddy App: Seek Works offline!

19. What’s in my Backpack?
Trader Joe’s Tabouli Container
Headlamp
Ikea KUGGIS Lid
Macro Clip On Lens
$1.97 Pocket Ruler from Home Depot

20. How to get MORE out of hiking
GALLS!
Leafminers!

21. How to get MORE out of hiking
Tips:
➔ Different Habitats: Oak Woodlands, Chaparral, Redwoods, Riparian
➔ Look UP and look DOWN
➔ Don’t be afraid to look a little bit “funny”
➔ Take a note or photo of the host plant for galls, leafminers, rusts, etc!
◆ As well as front and back of host (i.e. top and bottom of leaf)
GALLS!
Leafminers!

22. How to get MORE out of hiking
Tips:
➔ Different Habitats: Oak Woodlands, Chaparral, Redwoods, Riparian
➔ Look UP and look DOWN
➔ Don’t be afraid to look a little bit “funny”
➔ Take a note or photo of the host plant for galls, leafminers, rusts, etc!
◆ As well as front and back of host (i.e. top and bottom of leaf)
GALLS!
Resources
● Leafminers:
○ Leafminers of N. America iNat Project (iNat user: ceisman)
● Galls:
○ Bioblitz.club, Resources Tab for Spring and Fall Galls
○ Joyce Gross CA Galls https://joycegross.com/galls_ca_oak.php Leafminers!

23. How to get MORE out of hiking
Tips:
➔ Different Habitats: Oak Woodlands, Chaparral, Redwoods, Riparian
➔ Look UP and look DOWN
➔ Don’t be afraid to look a little bit “funny”
➔ Take a note or photo of the host plant for galls, leafminers, rusts, etc!
◆ As well as front and back of host (i.e. top and bottom of leaf)
GALLS!
Resources
● Leafminers:
○ Leafminers of N. America iNat Project (iNat user: ceisman)
● Galls:
○ Bioblitz.club, Resources Tab for Spring and Fall Galls
○ Joyce Gross CA Galls https://joycegross.com/galls_ca_oak.php Leafminers!
GO SLOW

24. Bushtapping
2
3
1

25. Bushtapping Creatures
Callimoxys fuscipennis, Coast Silk Tassel
Timemans, Genus Timema, Toyon/Manzanita/Silk Tassel
CA Chaparral Katydid,
Ceanothus
Potato Psyllid, Groundcherry
Pagaronia triunata (Leafhopper), Iris

26. Insect Ph o Tips
Resources
● BugGuide.net
● BioBlitz/club
● MacroInvertebrates.org
● Chloevanloon.com Post:
○ Beetles of Bark, Beaches, and Brooks
Dermestes maculatus
Copestylum apiciferum (Drone Fly)
Lubbery Band-winged Grasshopper

27. Good/Bad Plant
Observation
iNat Plant Observation

28. Good/Bad Plant
Observation
iNat Plant Observation

29. Flower
“Underneath” the flower Overall
Leaves
iNat Plant Observation

30. Fungi
Springtime Amanita
Insect-egg Slime
Purple Jellydisc

31. Fungi
Mushrooms: All Angles!
Springtime Amanita
Insect-egg Slime
Purple Jellydisc
Cap
Gills
O
v
e
r
a
l
l

32. Fungi
Mushrooms: All Angles!
Springtime Amanita
Insect-egg Slime
Purple Jellydisc
Cap
Gills
O
v
e
r
a
l
l
Tips:
➔ Look in wetter, darker spots in
Spring
➔ Identifications are tough!
➔ Use something for scale/take
measurements
Slime Molds:
May need to return to
view different stages

33. Birding + Bugging
Tips:
➔ Possible pretty much anywhere!
◆ Flowering plants and water sources are
good places
➔ If the bugs in the sun, keep it in the sun
➔ Watch for insects returning to a particular spot,
like Black Pheobes and other Flycatchers do!

34. Birding + Bugging Creatures
Red-tailed Aphideater, Syriphid
Variable Checkerspot
California Dancer
Western Screech Owl
Genus Lestomyia (Robber Fly)
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee

35. Birding + Bugging Resources
Guide:
● Diptera Field & ID Guide by Even Dankowic
○ https://sites.google.com/view/flyguide
○ All of the US!

36. Let’s get of the trail
and to the docks, beach, and into the night. . .

37. Dock Fouling

38. Locations:
● Below Scott’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Oakland
● Lake Merritt Sail Boat House, Oakland
● Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz
● Old Fisherman’s Warf, Monterey
Dock Fouling
Tips:
➔ Calm water conditions are best
➔ Don’t need low tide conditions

39. Dock Fouling Creatures
Lake Merritt Cuthona
Amblyosyllis nigrolineata
Red Beard Sponge
Strawberry Anemone
Cabezon Hancock’s Nudibranch

40. Locations:
● Pillar Point
● Pigeon Point
● Duxebury Reef
● Asilomar State Beach
● Coleman Beach
Tips:
➔ Find low tides with Willy Weather
look for -1-ish tides
➔ Use body to block sun for reduced
reflection
Tidepooling

41. Locations:
● Pillar Point
● Pigeon Point
● Duxebury Reef
● Coleman Beach
Night Tidepooling
Tips:
➔ Check Swell Conditions
➔ Bring a buddy
➔ Backup Lightsource
➔ Check Parking Rules
*Only if comfortable tidepooling in the day*

42. Red Rock Crab
Tidepooling Creatures
Laguna Beach Aeolid
East Pacific Red Octopus
Sea Lemon Nudibranch
Striped Polyclad Worm
Bat Star
Dark Doto
~4mm /~1/8th inches

43. Tidepooling Ph o Tips & Resources

44. Tidepooling Ph o Tips & Resources

45. Sea Lemon
Monterey Doris
Tidepooling Ph o Tips & Resources
Guide:
● California Sea Slugs by Robin Gwen Agarwal (iNat: anudibranchmom)
○ inaturalist.org/guides/40

46. Sea Lemon
Monterey Doris
Tidepooling Ph o Tips & Resources
Guide:
● California Sea Slugs by Robin Gwen Agarwal (iNat: anudibranchmom)
○ inaturalist.org/guides/40
Photo Tips:
➔ For nudibranchs, coloration and rhinopores

47. Guide:
● California Sea Slugs by Robin Gwen Agarwal (iNat: anudibranchmom)
○ inaturalist.org/guides/40
Photo Tips:
➔ For nudibranchs, coloration and rhinopores
➔ For snails, photograph the aperture (opening)
Sea Lemon
Monterey Doris
Puppet Margarite
Tidepooling Ph o Tips & Resources

48. M hing
Tips:
➔ New moons are best!
➔ Check at different times of night
➔ Face riparian and forested areas if possible

49. M hing Gear
Small Portable UV Light:
● UV Led Black Light by HouLight
● USB connection, connect to portable battery
pack
● 10W
Large UV Light:
● KUKUPPO 100W Black Light
● Three prong outlet
● 100W
Sheet/Cloth/Wall
● Tighter weave the better
● Use whatever you have!

50. M hing Creatures
San Francisco Lacewing (Critically Imperiled)
Cicada
Ceanothus Silk Moth
Halesochila taylori, Caddisfly
Zig-Zag
Furcula Moth

51. Night Walk/Drive
Tips:
➔ Try Bushtapping at night!
➔ Scan with a flashlight and look for eyeshine
Kangaroo Rat, Borrego Springs Burrowing Owl, Coyote Valley

52. CNC Outing Ideas
South Bay:
● Morning Birding: Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge/Alviso Marina
County Park
● Mid-day/Afternoon Native Plants: Alum Rock Park/Santa
Teresa County Park/Almaden Quicksilver
● Evening: Night Drive for Owls in Coyote Valley
○ Bailey Ave/Santa Teresa Blvd Area
Peninsula:
● Morning Birding/Beach Combing/Tidepooling:
Pescadero State Beach Area
● Mid-day/Afternoon Native Plants: Portola Redwoods
State Park
● Evening Mothing at home or Mothing on Skyline Rd
(with a portable set-up)
North Bay:
● Morning Birding and Beach Combing/Tidepooling:
Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area, Bolinas
● Mid-day/Afternoon Native Plants: Mount Tamalpais or
Point Reyes
● Evening Mothing and Neighborhood Night Walk
East Bay:
● Morning Dock Fouling: Scott’s Seafood Bar, Oakland
● Mid-day/Afternoon Native Plants: Mt. Diablo
● Evening Wildlife Night Drive on Mines Road, Livermore
Everywhere!
● Daylight: ~6:15 AM-8:00 PM
● Low tides are around 8:30-10:00 am
● Use iNat “Explore” Function to find locations near you

53. iNaturalist Community
Contributing Photos
Documenting Range Expansions/Firsts
New Species?
Willow Ptarmigan, BC
Assisting Scientists
Oak Fern
Ironwood Curculio, CA
Syriphid

54. Let’s Connect!
iNaturalist Username: chloe_and_trevor
Nature Based Blog: chloevanloon.com
BC Backcountry Coachella Valley