Photographer Naturalists

It's evident that at least a few members here have a rudimentary knowledge of geology, plant ID, and meteorology (if not, you fake it well!). I'd like to know if you'd recommend any books on the subject that you've used, and also if you could describe briefly how you've amassed your knowledge base, whether it's from taking a picture of geological features then going to the library, reading about them beforehand in a textbook, formal education, etc.

Personally I've found the scientific information that goes along with photos very interesting.

I mostly fake it although I do have the wildflower books for the areas I've visited.

I don't think it's a matter of necessarily faking it as much as it's a matter of hopeless curiosity. Many of us like to know what it is we are photographing. The more we know the more likely we are to be successful in getting the images we want. I have plant identification books, a Sibley's Field Guide to Birds, hiking guides for the PNW and SW. I know folks who know MUCH more than me who I send images to for identification. When I find something curious I dig into it.

Knowledge is power as the old saying goes. The more I know the better my images get.

Knowledge base for me comes from the other photographers in here at NPN. Balsamroot? I never knew what it was or really cared till i was in the right place at the right time during its bloom time, and took a picture and then saw a picture Mike Dawson had that said 'balsamroot'. Same with other plants, bleeding hearts and so on, from other people who know. :)

Oh gracious, Jay, I am much to lazy now to be that scholarly and studious!

But I'm always interested in what I am looking at through my viewfinder. For birds, I joined a local Audubon Society group for a couple of years to learn how to spot birds and identify them; that led inevitably to the addition of a couple of fields guides to the library. For flowers and trees, I have a few more field guides for different regions I visit. For other subjects, I tend to note the interpretive signs in the State and National Parks and try to keep it all filed in my head. (Some knowledge leaks out and needs to be refreshed from time to time!) And probably most importantly, I keep going out, returning again and again to favorite spots, to enjoy seeing all the flora and fauna that are now known friends and realizing all that went into creating the landscapes I am enjoying. When I travel, I frequent the hotel kiosks that have tourist info and pick up a load of fliers and brochures to review and help plan local adventures. For me, it's easiest ( and the most fun ) to learn while being actively involved and immersed in where I am at the moment.

One of the best references available is the book "Cascade - Olympic Natural History" by Daniel Mathews. A wealth of information on the flora, fauna, geology and climate of western (and central) Oregon and Washington. If you look for it at used bookstores or on Amazon.com, be sure to get the 2nd edition (first is good, but there are important changes). It's also very well written and the historical bits and native American lore make it an enjoyable read at day's end or while you're waiting for the right photo conditions.

- Greg

www.GregVaughn.com

Jay, On the geology side of things, if you want to understand the Columbia River Gorge and Eastern and Central Washington, The book to go for is "Glacial Lake Missoula and it's Humongous Floods" by David Alt. He is also the co-author of the Roadside Geology of Washington and Roadside Geology of Oregon.
I didn't know what Balsomroot was either until I started this group.

I have to second Jerry on the book by David Alt. For anyone living in the PNW who is at all interested in our geology, the Missouls Floods are incredibly interesting. Its a cool feeling to understand the unfathomable destruction, and creation that the floods brought to our landscape. I really wish I'd paid more attention in geology class when I was younger. There's a lot of cool stuff out there if you are willing to learn.

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have put a couple of books on hold from the library. Regarding the Daniel Matthews book, there appears to be two editions. The newer one, copyright 1999, has the addition of "a trailside reference" in the title.

It's funny, I didn't know what balsamroot was either until I saw it in a photo description. Although he didn't repIy, I'd like to give credit to Marc Adamus' detailed descriptions first sparking in me an interest in the science of the subject matter.

- Roadside Geology of Washington
- Roadside Geology of Oregon
- Wildflowers of Washington (works for OR too)
- Cataclysms on the Columbia (not so much a geology book, but the best book on the floods I've read)