# Let's Talk Annotations **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [March 9, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627 "2019-03-09T01:43:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![PdFuenteB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/pdfuenteb/32/5015_2.png) [@PdFuenteB](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/PdFuenteB)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/182 "2019-12-08T14:35:50Z")
All this projects seam to be about dead animals: [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-herps](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-herps) [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-birds](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-birds) [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-mammals](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-mammals) [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-arthropods](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-arthropods) [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/skulls-and-bones-new-zealand](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/skulls-and-bones-new-zealand) [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/humboldt-roadkill](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/humboldt-roadkill) ---
**Author:** ![trscavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/trscavo/32/3386_2.png) [@trscavo](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/trscavo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/183 "2019-12-08T15:58:48Z")
> [@tiwane](#): > > And there are keyboard shortcuts for this annotation in identify: That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a Keyboard Shortcuts screen. Since I now had an existence proof, I brought up Identify/Annotations in my browser and looked at the screen for the ten-thousandth time…hmm, no Keyboard Shortcuts here…wait, what’s this tiny icon in the lower lefthand corner of the modal dialog? Eureka! Perhaps I’m just dense but it never occurred to me that I should look in the lower lefthand corner for documentation on a process that’s happening on the right half of the dialog. Shouldn’t there be a question mark icon adjacent to the annotation drop-down menus? Just my two cents. ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/184 "2019-12-08T22:35:44Z")
I would not auto add any dead indication to any bird window strike projects. These projects can and do contain observations of birds found which survived their strike. ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/185 "2019-12-08T23:55:12Z")
Other projects should work well, Dead Birds is for dead, same does Dead Mammals. ---
**Author:** ![PdFuenteB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/pdfuenteb/32/5015_2.png) [@PdFuenteB](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/PdFuenteB)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/186 "2019-12-09T01:05:18Z")
You are totally right, I probably read Car Collision, not sure why. My bad, I have deleted it ---
**Author:** ![treichard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/treichard/32/1455_2.png) [@treichard](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/treichard)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/187 "2019-12-12T18:21:10Z")
Could “Cannot be determined” be added as an option for all the annotations? It would be useful for clearing out a lot of observations with indeterminate Life Stages, which cannot currently be annotated without this option. ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/188 "2019-12-12T19:21:37Z")
It would be useful for many animals without clear sexual dimorphism. ---
**Author:** ![tiwane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tiwane/32/54612_2.png) [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/189 "2019-12-12T22:32:58Z")
> [@tony\_wills](#): > > Any progress on this? I think it should be a live update like the other annotations as a lot of projects still use this (and similar) fields. Yes, should happen soon. We’re not going to be able to include all of them, but I’ve made a list of some of the more oft-used ones for a start. > [@trscavo](#): > > Shouldn’t there be a question mark icon adjacent to the annotation drop-down menus? I can bring that up with our team. > [@treichard](#): > > Could “Cannot be determined” be added as an option for all the annotations? Yeah, I think that’s something in the offing. ---
**Author:** ![tiwane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tiwane/32/54612_2.png) [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/190 "2019-12-13T22:10:22Z")
OK, the following Observation Fields should map to the `Alive or Dead` annotation: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/92](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/92) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/6541](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/6541) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/6977](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/6977) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/8046](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/8046) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/160](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/160) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/9111](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/9111) Certain values won’t affect the annotation, like `Moribund` for `Dead or alive` and `No` for `Roadkill`. The site is also auto annotating observations that currently have these fields, it might take a little while to go through all of them. I’m sure we missed a few, so if there are any well-used fields that could work here, please let me know, especially ones that are not in English. ---
**Author:** ![jwidness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jwidness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jwidness)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/191 "2019-12-13T22:28:45Z")
Any possibility to auto-annotate observations in specific traditional projects, like [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-herps](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/dead-herps)? ---
**Author:** ![PdFuenteB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/pdfuenteb/32/5015_2.png) [@PdFuenteB](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/PdFuenteB)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/192 "2019-12-13T23:12:28Z")
This one is Alive or Dead but in spanish: [https://www.inaturalist.org/observation\_fields/7381](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/7381) ---
**Author:** ![ribes2018](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/ribes2018/32/3103_2.png) [@ribes2018](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ribes2018)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/193 "2019-12-17T16:21:42Z")
12/17/2019 I was so delighted today when I noted the annotation revision. Thank you, thank you for adding the “flower budding” annotation. I hope the change will add to seasonal plant life cycle data. Much appreciation. ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/194 "2019-12-30T13:50:09Z")
Topic title: [Life stage teneral for true bugs annotation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/life-stage-general-for-true-bugs-annotation/8995) Is there a reason it is unavailable, and if not, can it please be added. ---
**Author:** ![astra\_the\_dragon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/astra_the_dragon/32/37251_2.png) [@astra\_the\_dragon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/astra_the_dragon)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/195 "2019-12-30T14:04:40Z")
I’m not sure I understand your request… ---
**Author:** ![reosarevok](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/reosarevok/32/5547_2.png) [@reosarevok](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/reosarevok)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/196 "2019-12-30T14:06:21Z")
Pretty sure it’s supposed to be “teneral” :) ---
**Author:** ![edolis](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/edolis/32/6125_2.png) [@edolis](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/edolis)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/197 "2019-12-30T14:22:43Z")
Is this about instars? It would be nice but I think you need professionals for proper ids ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/198 "2019-12-30T15:10:04Z")
It was and corrected, silly autocorrect on my phone and no coffee yet… ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/199 "2019-12-30T15:12:07Z")
As I remember after-moult state was requested aready, but not for bugs specifically, I guess all arthropods need it, but have no idea if the term applies to non-insects. ---
**Author:** ![kiwifergus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/kiwifergus/32/1904_2.png) [@kiwifergus](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kiwifergus)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/200 "2019-12-30T22:09:37Z")
applies for arachnids… many of us have just been assigning a field “teneral=yes” if we encounter them. in fact, many of the annotations started out as fields… ---
**Author:** ![nathantaylor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/nathantaylor/32/1152_2.png) [@nathantaylor](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nathantaylor)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627/201 "2020-01-06T20:14:29Z")
> [@janetwright](#): > > I agree that there’s too much ambiguity in declaring aboveground vegetation “dead.” Senescent stems and leaves with live seeds look “dead,” but it’s a normal dormant stage, like a butterfly pupa. I’m not seeing what purpose it would serve to lump these in with actually dead plants. > [@sedgequeen](#): > > There’s no point in using categories that will be misclassified a high percentage of the time. @bouteloua @janetwright @sedgequeen I still have to disagree here. Though there are gradations and often few or no clear dividing lines for various levels of dormancy, identifying things at various stages, including dormant/dead instead of living/active, are usually very different processes. Also, the identification process of dead plants is similar to nearly identical to identification process for dormant plants (unless the plant died sterile, in which case there is little hope for any kind of ID). If you like, perhaps even **completely dormant (no active above ground growth)/dead** would provide the clearest distinction possible. There are multiple ways that we can try to group this to make it work, but I think there are ways to make this work. Just so we’re clear, my argument is for utility, not absolute data. Though this category might not be useful from a data perspective, it would be very useful from a data cleaning (i.e., identification) perspective even if improperly applied. For examples of this kind of information being utilized, I have [project](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/plants-out-of-season) specifically devoted to providing references for ID of plants during the most challenging times of the year. I specifically use three observation fields to organize this information: [Winter/Young Plant Type](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/8049), [Seedling?](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/9614), and [Evergreen](https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/8050). The first has the utilizes **“only dead material visible”**. Are the distinctions exact? Not at all. Are they useful categorizations? Absolutely. Lastly, I would argue that the distinction between dormant/dead and active/alive are actually no more arbitrary than the juvenile/adult values for life stages in animals. > [@bouteloua](#): > > sex annotation for plants has been there for me since annotations were added to the site. I’ve learned to mostly just ignore/glaze over it, but do wish it were gone I find these helpful in the case of dioecious plants. More selective implementation would be very nice, but I’d hate to get rid of it altogether. [Previous page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627.md?page=9) [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lets-talk-annotations/627.md?page=11)