Fun thread and reason to reflect back on this years observations
Most fun detective work:
When I observed this one I was sure it would be easy to get to a genus at least, maybe even species, due to the remarkable form of the āheadāā¦ however, it turned out to be very difficult to find something. I studied a number of papers on south american pholcids over several days (some really hard to get to) and it was the most amazing feeling when I finally found it! Turned out to be a first for iNat and I later fround a second record in the older observations of this site.
Most fun mimikry in action:
This one also had me excited on the spot. Unfortunately in the forest was a rather darkish and I had shaky hands after a long hike and the pictures did not turn out as good as I would have loved them to be. But when this āgiant antā dangled in front of my face from a silk thread I immediately realized I was witnessing an amazing ant mimikry in actionā¦ would have probably just walked by it, if it had not just dangled from the threadā¦ also turned out to be a iNat first and so far only
Most fun IDer-activity-stimulated:
I got this year a bit more into identifying Membracidaeā¦ beautyful little creatures! This lead me also to specifically look out for them when out with my camera myself and each time I was very happy when I found a new species. I am happy that I found over 10 different species this year (if they would all be identified, probably some more). That picture is a representation of that new interest
Most satisfying to identify Aerophilus nigripes from Alburquerque, NM, US on October 02, 2022 because it took half a day to find the necessary papers online and characters on the specimen and solved the mystery of a common, autumn critter on rabbitbrush bushes.
This looks like a fun topic! Everybody has such cool observations.
My personal favorite was this western banded gecko that I found in Gilbert, AZ. I count this as my lifer lizard and lifer herp in general.
One of my rarest species was this Hemiphileurus illatus, which I found in the same spot as the banded gecko. Somehow, I found two more of them under that pot two days later.
My most photogenic animal was this pale-banded dart that I found in Woonsocket, RI. I found it clumsily flying around, and after working with it for a bit, it calmed and I could get close enough to get nice photos, and even hold it.
Most effort in pursuit: Yellow V Moth (Oinophila v-flava). I believe it is the same individual moth as this one, taken two months earlier, after seeing it in my room for two more months before that. Since the first picture was too blurry for anyone to corroborate, I wasnāt satisfied, and kept watching for another chance.
2 years ago I commented it as āCaesalpinieae with red flowers (comment for future search)ā because this character seems to be unique in the tribe. The specimen in herbarium still shows a red flower color.
Denisophytum buchii
Last documented observation of this species in Haiti was 1927 according to GBIF.
Most surprising: Burmannia biflora
I had no idea the species (or genus or family) even exists when I almost stepped on it but immediately thought, whatever it is, I love it. Itās probably the cutest flower Iāve ever seen and I think my personal favorite of the year.
Most surprising: Ophrys Ć hybrida
This year is the first time Iāve seen any Ophrys and I think the entire genus is incredible - but I was really confused by this one at first. (I probably shouldnāt be surprised that orchids do hybridize.)
Most surprising: Brothera leana
I would never have known what it is - but I thought it doesnāt look like any other mosses, instead like some sea urchins in an underwater scene. Thankfully someone identified it and said local botanists call it āsea urchin mossā It has only 7 (identified, that is) inaturalist observations so at least by that measure it was also my rarest of the year.
God, this is far too difficult for me. This year was such an amazing year for me!
One of my more recent observations Iād say is the most confusing and intriguing sightings Iāve had: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142745496
These were just sitting at the side of the road and I thought they were jellyfish at firstā¦ but what would jellyfish be doing half a mile inland? I then thought maybe cow snot or something but some people are saying it has something to do with frogs. Very strange.
Iād say my most surprising observation was one of a millipede: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/130605486
I have heard my mother say that in the town then she had seen millipedes but I never expected to find them way out in the countryside, let alone the shockingly small size of it, only being say 15mm long. I always thought millipedes were giant and tropical but as per usual, I am very naive.
And finally, something I have been looking for for a very long time - The round leaved sundew! https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135679142
These are a carnivorous plant which I had heard grows here in Shetland but I had never seen for myself. I have been looking around for it for ages but at long last I was able to find it growing on an old peat bank. I was happy to see that it looked very healthy, proving that the area I was in had not been touched for a very long time as nature had reclaimed it. Along with that I found lichens, spiders and various insects which I had not observed before.
I always think that Iāve seen everything until I keep finding species that I have never heard of here in Shetland. This list was very difficult to make due to how many new and surprising or long sought after species I had found this year. I still have lots to find yet, next year I hope to find many different species of moths as that is something I didnāt really get the chance to do this year.
Hey all! Iām still new and slow to post observations (due to not having a car!) but Iām so thrilled to be a part of the iNat community!!
I think this observation of mine is the only one that classifies as āsurprisingā or particularly exciting based on the IDās and comments from fellow users on it!
Haha, that reminds of some worktrips with a collegue and friend in Africa. She always said āTaking pictures of Jaguars, Lions and elefants is nice, but the real deal are COMBOS!ā :-D
Iām pretty sure this is frogspawn. Frogs typically lay their eggs in gelatinous clusters. Itās odd that this wasnāt found in a shallow pond, however. Maybe it used to be a body of water that dried out?
Edit: It turns out, these are likely the remains of gravid female frogs from predators that couldnāt digest the jelly-like eggs. Thanks for solving it @deboas!
Itās my first year on iNat and I still need a lot of learning to spot and shoot interesting stuff (especially plants, my 2023 new year resolution is clearly botany).
The one that started it all:Faxonius limosus at the Etang du Vignoble (Valenciennes, France). One of the first places I went when I got a DSLR was a pond near where I used to live as a child. Signed up to iNat to get an ID for it, so you can pretty much blame it for my grebe and cormorant spam.
The ācharacter arcā:Tachybaptus rufficollis, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, France. Around late October, I started to notice small water birds that would dive as soon as they saw me. I started spotting them everywhere, they became my āwhite whaleā for a good while, I struggled to get a decent picture. Then, about two weeks ago, I struck gold. Little grebes will not be stealing the top spot in my heart from their great crested cousins, but itās pretty close!
Most Interesting: Honey bees swarming, where they cluster around a new queen.
Most Enjoyable: A large leaf bug because I prefer to observe and identify plants, so getting tricked by it was fun!
Most Surprising: This species of nettle sting was much more abrupt and lasted much longer than what Iāve experienced with the regular species I encounter.
Thank you and @deboas for answers to what that was! I thought it was quite peculiar that people would say its something to do with frogs but that explains it.
It has only 7 (identified, that is) inaturalist observations so at least by that measure it was also my rarest of the year.
