I think will find this easier the more that I practice. I am working on quickly sketching the shapes of different birds. details with just pencil are tricky for me. The photo is helpful, as it doesn't fly away:). I think the script that you add to the journal ( rust on breast, black on wings etc. ) combined with the sketches make a more complete picture.
It is so easy to take a picture of what you see, but then it gets left behind in the nether sphere. I like that a journal tells a story. It helps you stop and better observe what you see. I feel that once journaling becomes habit, it will provide insight over time of all the things that I observe. Also, the more I do it, the better I will get at capturing what I see on its pages.