Lately, I haven't been doing art or getting out into nature as much as I used to. I see this as a way that inspires me to do both in a new way. I'm not feeling a need to choose a particular journalistic style at all. I'm approaching this as an experiment of discovery. I often let art emerge and surprise me. Of course, trying to capture what some natural object looks like is  quite different than the more free-form art I've done in the past. But perhaps I will find a way to converge them. My aim isn't necessarily to create a field guide but rather to capture my own feelings and observations of nature. It will be interesting to see what evolves.

I am so excited to begin this journey. I am just learning how to watercolor, but enjoy doing artistic endeavors. I do journal (but not regularly) and often written about my travels, using my husband’s photographs as inspiration. I love to walk and ponder nature; I enjoy watching the birds that visit my feeders over the seasons and also love to putter about in my flower and vegetable gardens. I am hoping that this course helps me to be more attentive to the little things — much like carrying a camera can focus attention. I so enjoyed the ways each of the journalists shared their approaches. I liked the observations about how their writing and sketching changed over time: isn’t that the reason why we write….to learn, to grow, to become? I also liked the way that the writings merged with the drawings and paintings, each inspiring the other.  I hadn’t thought about the more active approach to observation — generating questions while writing and sketching — but I would like to adopt that approach, too.

1. I was inspired specifically by John Muir Laws' form of nature journaling, which is about inquiry and observation, rather than just drawing or writing. I work with kids and teach a lot about science, so this method really appeals to me, and has been very rewarding on a personal level as well. 2. I really liked the first journal, particularly when her drawings began to burst out of the boxes - I also thought it made them look more vibrant and alive, and I think I might try to incorporate that. 3. One small thing I've learned from Laws' work is making a little bubble question mark right next to a question or a list of questions - it makes the page look more fun and also helps to organize it.

1. I love drawing, but I also love writing, so something that combined both seemed like the perfect thing to do. I also want to get better at sketching birds and filling in with watercolour. 2. I was really inspired by the one that had the "fill in a whole page per month" idea, because that way, over time, you can get a really good idea of what it looks like where you live at a certain time of year. 3. Right now, I don't really have a different idea, I just want to try various methods until I find the one that works for me.

One of the main reasons I started nature journaling was to learn more about plants, identifying them, seeing their features more clearly,  noticing where they are growing and what insects and other animals might be interested in them. I also just wanted to spend more time outdoors, really noticing things--sitting long enough to really observe and not just being busy tending a garden (nose pointing at the ground) or mowing the grass.

Recently retired birdwatcher, I have kept travel journals but want to learn to sketch birds from life.  I like the notation of date, weather etc and the observational notes.  I also like breaking down the birds into shapes.

I am a retired field environmental professional that used what we now call journaling throughout my career to document what I found in the field.   I worked a great deal on mine land reclamation, hazardous waste clean up and nuclear waste clean up.   Thus, most of those journaling books are now in part of legal case files and project record archives and thus out of my reach.   All beginning journal keepers should note that, although thousand of photographs were taken of the sites I worked on, it was always my journal pages, sketches, and watercolors that ended up on the big screen in front of the jury---go figure.  I am now excited to start my personal nature journal to document the many wonders of my new home's backyard which is on a big water body called an Resaca (look it up, it not a river or a lake). As an old field guy I have one plea; please use alpha-numeric dating for your dates (example: 23OCT2017), and military time (1704H = 5:04 pm) on all your enters.  All other date/time notations can lead to multiple interpretations of when the notations were made.  This, in turn, leads to the notations, sketches, watercolors, etc. being thrown out of any data set or evidence file (scientific or legal).   It is so heart breaking to see good work rendered unusable for such a silly reason.   Remember, you can never predict when what you document will become important to society.

I love this idea although I haven't started my nature journal yet. I have kept drawing journals, often landscapes, but without the words to accompany it, and the goal of observing nature closely, I simply judged my drawings good or bad, and tried again the next time to do better. I sense that I won't be judging my product so much on this venture. Rather, it is a mode to observe, get lost in the observation, treasure that time, and move on to the next observation. This will establish a stronger and ongoing relaI tionship to nature. I walk my two white golden retrievers around "Starbucks Lake" -- I call it that because I can't find the name of this reservoir on any map, but there is a coffee shop half way around it -- and we enjoy seeing the birds and bunnies and other dogs. This walk can seem boring to me because there is no cardio, no uphill or downhill. Then I downloaded "Where the Crawdads Sing" and for the first time I stood and watched three double tufted Colorado Cormorants on two logs. I didn't try to make up for the flat terrain with speed. I just stood and watched. It was wonderful, and I tried sketching them when I got home. The book inspired me to stand and look for ten minutes, and to open this Christmas present from my love. I also purchased the Ornithology course online, and a huge, heavy textbook. I look forward to seeing how this next year unfolds with walking, looking, drawing, writing, and reading about birds. It is a good new step for me. I was missing a new adventure at 72 and settling for simple pleasures without a goal. This is great for me!

I love photography and painting, and I hope I can discover unexpected details around me by keeping a nature journal.I think nature journal is a good way to observe the interesting things around you and capture a moment in your life that surprises you, it makes me pay more attention to the things around me, discover the beauty of nature, and understand more about myself. I want to keep a nature journal with various boxes and categorize the daily journal. For example: the first box records the problem of observation, the second records the moment that touched you, the third records the knowledge (details) My new idea: do a quarterly summary of each season and pick out your favorite moment or thing in these 3 months.

During the past 2 years I began photographing birds in Central Park in NYC, developing some skills and becoming part of the local birding community. For many years I taught illustration and painting to high school art majors, then opened a studio in midtown where I created nature-themed paintings and illustrated the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe (The Raven), Wallace Stevens (Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird), etc. The pandemic arrived, I closed the studio and began working from home. Most mornings I am in the park, just two blocks from my apartment, where there are ponds, waterfalls and a reservoir. It's been a struggle, however, to get back into painting. Through photography I've been able to spend more time observing the habits of wildlife. I want to get excited again about painting. Keeping a nature journal seems an excellent way to slow down and observe life, creating visual and written notes. I was inspired by all of the journalers, each one had something unique to offer. I'm ready to begin!

I think that what attracts me to try journaling is that it is a contemplative process as well as one that requires slowing down, concentrating and becoming much more observant. So much of my life was busy accomplishing a lot as quickly as possible. My job, teaching high school science was never done- planning, grading, physical preparation, and  mentoring was all consuming, including many nights, weekends and even much of vacation time. Additionally, I had children of my own.  I am absolutely in love as well as fascinated by the natural world.. Having an activity whereby I can fully immerse myself in it for whatever amount of time I want feels like heaven. As I read through the journal examples, I was drawn to aspects of several of the journalers. I liked Shayna's approach-draw, think, reflect, remember and look up what she wanted to learn more about, which fits my personality. My curiosity is endless and I love to follow a question or learn more about something that pops into my head and this is a process to do just that!! I think that sketching combined with writing is great for remembering. I went on a birding adventure abroad and I could see how journaling could have enriched my experience. To me it feels better than photography, it involves all the senses. I loved the aesthetics of Holly's journal.  Having sketches of the total landscape along with detailed sketches of specific plants, birds, insects and animals puts them in perspective. I felt that way about Liz's journal also.

1. That inspired me was the inspiration I have always drawn from nature, since also is my work environment; and ultimately is the perfect union between my art hobby (painting and drawing in general) and my academic background in sciences. I love the idea of fitting a month in just one page, I hope I can fit everything I get to draw in mine... also the idea of inserting squares to fit your notes would help me to a have a more organized layout. I would like to include my descriptions of sounds and smells; as well as, things I collet from my journaling trips (sustainably and mindfully collected) to include them in a "scrapbooky" style.

1. I want to observe the world better and I hope that by spending time observing and drawing I’ll slow down and look with patience and attention at the world. 2. I like the ones that included words and drawing. As a poet that appeals to me. 3. No new ideas, but I do want to see how words and art can be blended into an expression of my attention.

I like the free style presentation that some had. I liked the personalization. Journaling to enjoy not to instruct

1) I am a linocut printmaker who often depicts birds, however, you can't complete a lino out in the field as it takes a lot of time, elbow grease, and sharp tools! Watercolor is a medium that is much more immediate and portable, so I wanted to learn how to use this medium. 2) I appreciate the last sketcher's goals of trying to do one drawing a day or a month of drawings. I also appreciated how many sketchers were working out the logic of what they were observing on paper, rather than just appreciation--they seemed to be learning from what they were observing. 3) I've also been looking for a way to combine words and images together in my art. I'm hoping that along with my observations and notes, I can include word-play and poetry to go along with the sketches.

1. I took both of Liz’s recent workshops on the Cedar Waxwing painting and drawing essentials.  I loved both and want to learn more about nature sketching and improve my painting and drawing skills. 2. I can’t pick just one style I like!  I love the colors in Shayna, Jewel, William, and Holly’s journals.  Yet I also love the simplicity of D.J. & Margaret’s journals.  I liked Shayna’s details including looking up both the common and scientific names of her subjects.  I love how Margaret and William keep multiple quick sketches of the same subject to learn more about their subjects.  I think Margaret had a dozen sketches of hummingbirds in a 2 hour time-frame and each one seemed to teach her something.  D.J. has used his as official documentation.  Shayna’s is a “personal field guide” and Jewel, William, and Holly seem to be about memories.  I’d like to incorporate all methods into my journal. 3. I think I might try doing multiple pictures of the same subject in using different mediums - watercolor, colored pencils, or pencils sketches and see which I like the most.

1. I draw a lot, but mostly 0nly from reference found on the internet, so i find that there isn’t much movement or different angles to what i draw. 2. I really like the idea of quick and loose sketches to get the basic shapes down that i would be able to return to at a later time. 3. Adding in some small bits of nature found outdoors scrapbook style

1. My partner and I took the Cedar Waxwing class with Liz. My fist watercolor! We are both artists, but I would like to learn to journal more in nature (meaning more discipline to do it!). I draw, but do not paint, and would like to learn. I am more of a 3d artist (blown glass). My interests are in birding, beekeeping, and fly fishing. I tie most of our flies, so I consider myself an amateur entomologist. I also do a lot of photography of all of these things. I would like to have a more personal touch of hand drawn experiences with our adventures. 2. Stylistically, I like pen and ink with watercolor. I also liked the daily or monthly sketches, for discipline. 3. What I need is more practice! I am confident that I will come up with a system that works for me. Thanks for the inspiration!            

I took Liz's watercolor class of a cedar waxwing just as a lark. My grandma began watercolor classes in her seventies and I was interested in trying them myself. As an elementary teacher, I had not considered the possibilities of doing nature journaling with my students.  I teach mathematics and science. What a perfect fit for both! To begin with, I just want to sketch, watercolor, and jot notes on the pages of my sketchbook. If I were to go on a nature trip, I would love to use the little journal to document the trip in pictures and words. I also loved the idea of having various sketches on one page a month. So many possibilities. I plan to have my third grade students begin nature journaling when we get back to school this August.

1. After taking a bird drawing workshop with Liz, I was inspired to engage more with the birds I observe. Field drawing has felt intimidating to me in the past, but the process she broke down really helped me get started. 2. I love the color that gets incorporated into these journals and the way the watercolor helps them to break down the different shades present in nature. Can't wait to do that! 3. I think I'd like to try something in my journal where I draw or paint the same thing over the course of a year (or longer!) and watch it change. Maybe the same view or a single tree...

1. After taking a bird painting workshop with Liz, in which we painted a Cedar Waxwing, I became inspired to do more bird paintings.  I don't have much confidence in my art work, so I hope to dive in and see how my journaling and art work improve over time.  Also, yesterday I was super close to a summer tanager and watched him take a bath.  He didn't seem to mind that I was there at all.  So my first page of my journal is to try and capture that moment. 2. I like the idea of keeping dates and locations, and also doing the drawings first to use whatever space is needed.  I also like doing a circular close up when needed to show more small details. 3. I may have more ideas as I get working more on my journal, but not at the moment.

Really inspirational journals with great practical tips. I like the idea of a box at the top with the date, time, location and weather conditions. Also like the idea of drawing boxes with the subject peaking out of the box. Will try to start with monthly page as a manageable goal with the idea of working to daily journals on future trips.

1. I am a teacher, so in the summer time I have time to stop and reflect. I spend most of my time outdoors in beautiful, natural places along the Eastern seaboard. I hope to cultivate a journaling habit/practice that encourages me to tap into my creative side in a way that is slowed down, deliberate and contemplative. I hope to bring these practices into my life and routine beyond the summer. I know many people who keep nature journals and always thought that this was out of reach for me since I am not an artist. I am excited to learn some drawing/painting skills while I learn to better observe and notice. 2. I like the monthly journal at the end of the video, but will try to keep a weekly version. I also like the first journal type and how she uses the boxes. I need to do some additional reflection about what my journal will be. I am not entirely sure yet. I do know that I need to be open to mistakes and changes of mind along the way. The young woman who let her journal "become" as time went on is inspiring to me because I don't want to have a fixed mindset going in. But I do see the importance of setting some goals.  

I actually enjoyed the journals that included the colorful sketches and journal entries. I thought the combination of personal observations and the information that was gathered from scientific knowledge made for a great resource. Very important I felt was that the journal left an imprint of  a memory for the journalist and our community.  

Which ideas or approaches I want to try: I've attempted several times to start a nature journal but never really got it going. I've had a hard time deciding what format I want to use, so I keep putting it off. For this reason I especially like Holly's idea of doing monthly pages, as it seems a bit less daunting and I think I can stick with it, doing a drawing with the associated information without feeling that more is needed at the moment. I can always add daily or trip pages as well.