Risa

1. What inspired me to begin nature journaling? As I go through my Senior year of high school, I have had to think about what I can do to continue learning after my "required" school is over. This is a fun way to spark my creative side (which doesn't come out unless I really force it to) and to continue learning outside of textbooks. Birds inspire me to put my hand to something Im not that great at: Drawing. In fact, my first real piece of art (you know, not the 5 year old's stick figure "drawings") was of a Cedar Waxwing. Since then, the only thing I really feel comfortable drawing is birds. So I don't want to settle for mediocracy in doing the thing I love. But to reach for greatness, and see where this wonderful journey through God's creation leads me. 2. Something that I found fascinating about several journals from the video, was the special noting of...well...noteworthy things. For example, the "magnifying glass" technique in Shayna Muller's work. Another thing that stuck out to me was the attitude of "its ok if its not perfect." In fact, DJ McNeil, purposely omitted some features because he hadn't seen it well enough to draw it. I'm naturally a perfectionist, so I would struggle to leave a bird faceless or to leave a scene unfinished. But its a relaxing and often motivating thought to be okay with however your drawing turns out.

Hey all, I'm new to this whole discussion thing so I'm just going to give it my best shot... In briefly looking at the species found near Rodger Road AZ versus Mt Lemon AZ, the most obvious difference I found was that Rodger Road had a multitude of water birds, whereas Mt Lemon had a lot more mountain birds such as woodpeckers and warblers.