'Needs ID' pile, and identifications

[JaneBP]

@lynnharper

There are so many plant observations where I wish the observer had added just one more photo, showing, for example, the number of needles in a cluster of pine needles, or a nice clean leaf from that oak tree where they took a photo of the bark, or (conversely) the bark of the tree where they took a photo of the leaf of what might be a Hop Hornbeam.

Two days ago I took a picture of some leaves on the sidewalk (that I will post as an observation) with total satisfaction that it will be IDed as Liriodendron tuipifera. (Hope I spelled that right.) That’s the only tree I can think of that can be readily IDed with only a leaf photo.

[lynnharper]

That, and Sassafras around here, at least if it’s a leaf with lobes.

[JaneBP]

@fffffffff

If you see 10 people ided it and observer doesn’t care - mark it, all such observations do is taking other’s time for no reason.

Are you saying that if someone or several someones have IDed my observation but I haven’t posted that I agree with the ID, my observation is still in the Need ID pile? It does not show that way on my observations.

[JaneBP]

@spins

Why people think what they grow in their garden is relevant for Inaturalist (and similar platforms) is beyond me.

Just haven’t been told otherwise.

[fffffffff]

No, we’re talking about observations with turned off community id.

[JaneBP]

@lynnharper

Now I want to know how many observers never make more than, say, 50 observations

What I would like to know is, who is new today? And tomorrow? And the day after? The more I read the forum, the more I want to send a (short) welcome letter to new arrivals containing a bit of the info that we are telling each other here over and over.

[bobmcd]

@JaneBP

What I would like to know is, who is new today? And tomorrow? And the day after?

[lynnharper]

If I’m IDing something for an observer who has just one or two observations and I’m pretty sure they read English, I just write, “Welcome to iNaturalist!” I figure some simple early feedback like that will help get them hooked on iNat.

[matthewvosper]

Ginkgo! :)

[JaneBP]

Thanks very much for pointing that out!

[JaneBP]

@matthewvosper

Ginkgo! :)

Yes! A third tree that is IDable from only the leaf!

[JaneBP]

@jasonhernandez74

Better yet, tiered pins for every 5000 IDs.

And three brown ones equals a silver one, and three silver ones equals a gold one, etc. for all you master IDers.

[bobmcd]

I’m pretty good with just the warm fuzzies.

[fffffffff]

It’b better if they got in -0 system, so maybe 10-50-100-200, and so on.

[JaneBP]

Sure. I was just following what Jason said.

[JaneBP]

@lynnharper

I’d be happy to come iNat in Africa; I’ve never been there. Maybe in another two or three years, the pandemic will be less deadly?

Sounds great to me, too. Maybe we could visit some schools and promote iNat?

[JaneBP]

@dianastuder

I check my mavericks often. Whether it was my fault, or a glitch, or the Community ID has left me behind - I want to know and resolve My Wrong as best I can. All part of my learning curve in nature (and on iNat)

What do you mean by mavericks?

[bobmcd]

@JaneBP

What do you mean by mavericks?

Sorry if this has already come up in this thread but there are 777 postings
From https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/help#identification :

There are several types of IDs:

• Leading: Taxon descends from the community taxon. This identification could be leading toward the right answer.
• Improving: First suggestion of this taxon that the community subsequently agreed with. This identification helped refine the community taxon.
• Supporting: Taxon is the same as the community taxon. This identification supports the community ID.
• Maverick: Taxon is not a descendant or ancestor of the community taxon. The community does not agree with this identification.

You can check your own mavericks by using this URL: https://www.inaturalist.org/identifications?user_id=janebp&category=maverick
You don’t have any. Your identifications can be seen here:https://www.inaturalist.org/identifications?user_id=janebp

Not all mavericks are bad, some could be the first step in the right direction.
Also check this thread: How do I find and fix my old mis-identifications?

[JaneBP]

@fluffyinca

There’s also a difference in the amount of flower petals, but I don’t remember what it is right now. Pretty much anything that looks like a normal plant is a flowering plant, though, even grasses and deciduous trees.

Monocots usually have three petals but they may also have three sepals that look like petals so they are referred to as flower petals in sets of three. Grasses are usually (always?) monocots - long strappy leaves with parallel veins.

[fffffffff]

Grasses is one family.