# Faved observations talk **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [September 26, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949 "2026-09-26T16:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aaravmishra](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/aaravmishra/32/33901_2.png) [@aaravmishra](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/aaravmishra)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/1 "2026-09-26T16:26:39Z")
I think this is something not talked about. Why do you use your favourites? For what? For me - Generally I use my favourites like a bookmark for new species or mystery ones. I also fave first ids when I flag the taxon so that once the taxon is created, I can find it and then of course to not clutter my faves, unfave it. ---
**Author:** ![dendroleon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dendroleon/32/27658_2.png) [@dendroleon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/dendroleon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/2 "2026-09-26T17:10:31Z")
especially beautiful photos, unique/unusual features, good mimics, kinda just anything i think i might wanna be able to find again ---
**Author:** ![fm86](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/fm86/32/76130_2.png) [@fm86](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/fm86)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/3 "2026-09-26T18:55:32Z")
I tend to use it for a few reasons: - something I find interesting/beautiful/ - photos I find amusing - an observation of a particular species seen in an area I hope to/plan on visiting - anything else I think I may want to find again easily ---
**Author:** ![Mercedes-Fletcher](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/mercedes-fletcher/32/24784_2.png) [@Mercedes-Fletcher](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/Mercedes-Fletcher)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/4 "2026-09-26T21:20:38Z")
Ooh, a reason to peruse my faves again? This was fun! Here’s some of what I found: - Critters that made me go “what is _that_? That I’d like to follow up on later [(ex. This mystery wild cat from Bolivia that suddenly seems very exciting…)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/368769386) - Species I had never heard of before that I thought were interesting [(Like this stoneroot flower moth)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/171246726) - Species that are extremely rare or now-extinct ([Like this Wood’s Cycad)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184146914) - Things that made me giggle [(Including this hilariously perched pigeon)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80165733) - Individual organisms that are strange in some way [(This fox is one of my favorite observations of all time \<3)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19732587) - and whatever else makes the little goblin in my brain go “ooh, shiny!” ([(Like this beautifully photographed mantis!)](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/67039079) ---
**Author:** ![AdamWargon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/adamwargon/32/44649_2.png) [@AdamWargon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/AdamWargon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/5 "2026-09-26T21:23:10Z")
> [@aaravmishra](#): > > I think this is something not talked about. > > Why do you use your favourites? For what? [https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/poll-what-are-good-reasons-to-fave-an-observation/](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/poll-what-are-good-reasons-to-fave-an-observation/) [https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-favourites-as-bookmarks/](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-favourites-as-bookmarks/) ---
**Author:** ![bloomingtmrw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bloomingtmrw/32/73681_2.png) [@bloomingtmrw](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bloomingtmrw)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 11:59pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/6 "2026-09-26T23:59:34Z")
I mainly favorite observations with _really_ good photos / photos that I like, funny observations (like Mrs. Dave), and interesting observations (Vagrants, odd colors, behaviors, etc) I have a google doc for any “useful” observations to go back and reference as needed so I dont need to favorite them. I also keep my other reference links there and have it organized somewhat. ---
**Author:** ![botswanabugs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/botswanabugs/32/2434_2.png) [@botswanabugs](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/botswanabugs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/7 "2026-09-27T13:30:49Z")
I give Favs to new iNaturalist’s observations in my country. I hope it gives a little encouragement. ---
**Author:** ![nilshelstrom](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/nilshelstrom/32/43620_2.png) [@nilshelstrom](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nilshelstrom)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/8 "2026-09-27T14:04:40Z")
Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![scottdwright](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/scottdwright/32/63396_2.png) [@scottdwright](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/scottdwright)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/faved-observations-talk/85949/9 "2026-09-27T17:56:37Z")
> [@aaravmishra](#): > > Why do you use your favourites? For what? I use this as a way to highlight selected observations that has a photo (or photos) and sometimes a great set of images that present robust markers (physical characteristics - morphological) to help with identification (ID) of species (and subspecies). Ideally, I aim to create a journal post and it is based on a calendar year format of selected observations that meet my criteria for capturing the markers with the intent of an educational process - for me and for others. Thus, I have that in mind when I fave an observation. Near the end of the year, I go through them (with some triage) and use it in an extended journal post to then narrate the “why” in the selection for ‘exemplar’ in identification. I think this can be useful as a way to use actual observations in a given year to showcase how others have added in to the “good example of images that help to ID” and then I highlight the markers. For me, the faved list will be centered on Mule Deer (as example - obs showing two or more markers: antler structure, ears, face profile, pelage, tail profile, metatarsal gland…etc). On occasion, the faved also represents the functional + the aesthetic + behavioral.