It is great to see so many different sketching levels, that you can start even with no experience and learn from everyone else's drawings. It helps me as much to look at other's drawings as at the photo itself. It's good to start just pencil for shapes and details before worrying about the colors.
I am incredibly inspired by everyone's stories!! I have never been a drawer/sketcher, and have wanted to try for many years, usually just watercolors during holidays with my children. I love the idea of a record of nature when travelling, not just photo memories but things that take more time and effort. Various groups in Michigan are working on bird habitat and the disappearance of species, and I really want to record our native species of flora and fauna before it is gone.