Getting Started

Beyond the Phone

You can identify a lot with just a phone and a book, but a few simple physical tools will transform your ability to see the "micro-details" mentioned in the Seven Laws of Identification (Part 5).

1. The Hand Lens (Magnifier)

This is the single most important tool for a botanist or entomologist. A 10x magnification lens allows you to see the tiny hairs on a stem or the specific vein patterns on an insect's wing.

Tip: Don’t hold the lens far away like a magnifying glass. Hold the lens right up to your eye, and then bring the flower/insect toward the lens until it snaps into focus.

2. Close-Focus Binoculars

Most people think binoculars are just for birds in the distance. However, "close-focus" binoculars allow you to look at a butterfly or a dragonfly just two meters away as if it were right under your nose. This allows you to see details without scaring the creature away.

3. A Field Notebook and 2B Pencil

Technology can fail, and phone screens are hard to read in bright Devon sunshine.

Sketches: You don't need to be an artist. A simple "map" of where the spots were on a ladybird is more reliable than a blurry photo.

Tip: Pencils over Pens: A 2B pencil works even if the paper gets damp from the Sidmouth sea mist; most pens will smudge or fail.

4. Specimen Pots (The "View-Only" Method)

A small, clear plastic pot with a magnifying lid is perfect for briefly holding a beetle or a spider.

The Rule: Always handle with care, observe for a few minutes, and release the creature exactly where you found it.