# \#annotations **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/annotations/147.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [Nondescript "Failed to Save Record" error when adding Flowering or Fruiting annotation and observation is tagged as "No Flowers or Fruits"](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/nondescript-failed-to-save-record-error-when-adding-flowering-or-fruiting-annotation-and-observation-is-tagged-as-no-flowers-or-fruits/79818)
**Author:** [@henriksch](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/henriksch)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/nondescript-failed-to-save-record-error-when-adding-flowering-or-fruiting-annotation-and-observation-is-tagged-as-no-flowers-or-fruits/79818 "2026-09-25T16:58:41Z")
Platform: App version number, if a mobile app issue: Browser, if a website issue: vivaldi (chrome) URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: Screenshots of what you are seeing: Description o… --- ## [Lacewing Larva Camoflauge: Is it a construction, or part of the organism?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lacewing-larva-camoflauge-is-it-a-construction-or-part-of-the-organism/85633)
**Author:** [@adulationgospel](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/adulationgospel)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lacewing-larva-camoflauge-is-it-a-construction-or-part-of-the-organism/85633 "2026-09-22T15:36:22Z")
I recently took a photo of what I’m fairly certain is a Stripe-horned Green Lacewing in its larval stage; from what I understand, the larva takes pieces of molts, lichen/plant matter, and even the corpses of insects to a… --- ## [Is a chrysalis a "construction" or a "molt"?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-a-chrysalis-a-construction-or-a-molt/85599)
**Author:** [@pburka](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pburka)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-a-chrysalis-a-construction-or-a-molt/85599 "2026-09-20T21:01:20Z")
When one observes a moth or butterfly chrysalis from which the adult has emerged, is the “evidence of presence” more properly a “construction” or a “molt”? Or maybe “it depends”? --- ## [What does it mean to disagree with an annotation?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-does-it-mean-to-disagree-with-an-annotation/81636)
**Author:** [@tgroo](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tgroo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-does-it-mean-to-disagree-with-an-annotation/81636 "2026-07-12T15:31:02Z")
I try to annotate my observations in the hope it might assist looking for something specific which is included in the observation. Seems like the obvious purpose of annotations. What is accomplished when there is an an… --- ## [How to annotate observations with multiple Life Stages?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-annotate-observations-with-multiple-life-stages/78901)
**Author:** [@saturiwa](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/saturiwa)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-annotate-observations-with-multiple-life-stages/78901 "2026-05-13T22:50:54Z")
\[Note: Topic is annotating other people’s observations who didn’t post separate observations for (e.g.) eggs and nestlings on a nest.\] Now that birds are nesting actively, there are lots of photos that depict adults, fle… --- ## [Add ability to sort charts for a species by year](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/add-ability-to-sort-charts-for-a-species-by-year/62479)
**Author:** [@nick2524](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nick2524)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/add-ability-to-sort-charts-for-a-species-by-year/62479 "2026-05-07T22:41:30Z")
Platform: Website I have been adding a lot of annotations to observations lately and I have stumbled upon a feature that I hope can be implemented. On the homepage of a taxon, for example, Hobblebush . One can currentl… --- ## [Annotations: Is it a construction or a track?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-is-it-a-construction-or-a-track/76228)
**Author:** [@lcunningham](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/lcunningham)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-is-it-a-construction-or-a-track/76228 "2026-04-11T15:48:50Z")
In annotations, evidence of presence, I am wondering what to label a desert bighorn bed. There is scat in it, which I labeled separately. The ground is scraped by the bighorn’s hooves and a shallow dish-shaped depression… --- ## [Ever thought about giving annotating a go?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ever-thought-about-giving-annotating-a-go/74994)
**Author:** [@donna165](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/donna165)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ever-thought-about-giving-annotating-a-go/74994 "2026-03-02T11:50:23Z")
You don’t have to be able to ID the organism which is a major advantage. Tracks and Scat are annotations that a lot of people forget to use probably due to using the phone app. They often make a comment in notes so somet… --- ## [Searching for Annotations - Basic to Advanced](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/searching-for-annotations-basic-to-advanced/65375)
**Author:** [@ncb1221](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ncb1221)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/searching-for-annotations-basic-to-advanced/65375 "2026-03-02T11:46:45Z")
Advanced Annotation Filtering The Basics What are annotations? Annotation values and definitions Using Identify module and adding annotations Filtering annotations with search URLs The most b… --- ## [Shifting Plant Phenology and Annotations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/shifting-plant-phenology-and-annotations/75174)
**Author:** [@chase-prairie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/chase-prairie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/shifting-plant-phenology-and-annotations/75174 "2026-02-03T02:50:07Z")
Hey all! I’m getting winter cabin fever and stressed, so I’m spending my downtime annotating early spring flowers. I highly recommend doing this right before bed because I keep ending up dreaming of spring flowers inste… --- ## [Seasonality Chart not updating](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/seasonality-chart-not-updating/73210)
**Author:** [@pineappleman710](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pineappleman710)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/seasonality-chart-not-updating/73210 "2025-11-30T18:07:44Z")
Platform: App version number, if a mobile app issue: Browser, if a website issue: Firefox URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/133327-Lycium-carolinianum S… --- ## [How to annotate evidence of teeth marks and scratch/claw marks](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-annotate-evidence-of-teeth-marks-and-scratch-claw-marks/72710)
**Author:** [@pnwcoasthiker](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pnwcoasthiker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-annotate-evidence-of-teeth-marks-and-scratch-claw-marks/72710 "2025-11-15T14:56:44Z")
I did try searching for this first. I recently uploaded teeth marks on a king bolete mushroom that had been partially eaten by a large mammal (based on size of teeth marks). I think I annotated it as a track (because it … --- ## [Annotations not saving due to invisible values](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-not-saving-due-to-invisible-values/69854)
**Author:** [@larswillighagen](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/larswillighagen)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-not-saving-due-to-invisible-values/69854 "2025-09-08T02:22:10Z")
Platform: Website Browser, if a website issue: Chrome URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53461553, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59589078 … --- ## [Annotation for a barkmining insect's mine](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotation-for-a-barkmining-insects-mine/68865)
**Author:** [@greyone](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/greyone)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2025, 8:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotation-for-a-barkmining-insects-mine/68865 "2025-08-15T08:16:04Z")
Moths of genus Ogmograptis make mines in bark. What “Evidence of Presence” annotation should I use for observations of these mines, like https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/223499589? The closest is “Leafmine”, whic… --- ## [Understanding and exporting annotations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/understanding-and-exporting-annotations/67998)
**Author:** [@wamoz](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wamoz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2025, 5:59am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/understanding-and-exporting-annotations/67998 "2025-07-24T05:59:16Z")
Some of you may be aware of the Harmful Algal Bloom currently occurring here in South Australia. A Project has been created to collect obs of affected animals - https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?project\_id=238… --- ## [Apply\_project\_rules\_for filter doesn't apply annotation rules](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/apply-project-rules-for-filter-doesnt-apply-annotation-rules/59558)
**Author:** [@ncb1221](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ncb1221)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/apply-project-rules-for-filter-doesnt-apply-annotation-rules/59558 "2025-07-22T19:58:06Z")
Please fill out the following sections to the best of your ability, it will help us investigate bugs if we have this information at the outset. Screenshots are especially helpful, so please provide those if you can. Pla… --- ## [Annotate in bulk](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotate-in-bulk/66564)
**Author:** [@tommy\_andriollo](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tommy_andriollo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotate-in-bulk/66564 "2025-06-18T16:07:39Z")
Platform(s): Website (at least) URLs: The Identify page Description of need: Current annotations require opening each observation one by one, making bulk work unnecessarily tedious—even with keyboard shortcuts. After … --- ## [Breaking Leaf Annotation Guidance](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/breaking-leaf-annotation-guidance/66368)
**Author:** [@vrose96](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/vrose96)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/breaking-leaf-annotation-guidance/66368 "2025-06-14T14:32:20Z")
I’ve always been hesitant to use the breaking leaf buds annotation due to lack of understanding. Especially here in the south (West Central Alabama) we have a very diverse ecosystem with many plants just sprouting up yea… --- ## [Is it possible to determine gender and stage of life of a bird by just audio?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-it-possible-to-determine-gender-and-stage-of-life-of-a-bird-by-just-audio/63296)
**Author:** [@kimberlydw](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kimberlydw)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-it-possible-to-determine-gender-and-stage-of-life-of-a-bird-by-just-audio/63296 "2025-05-11T13:23:12Z")
I assume there are calls and sounds that only the young make, like begging for food. When it comes to annotations i notice a large amount are completely blank and in particular the stage if life and gender. Since ive res… --- ## [Dead-ish or Alive-esque](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/dead-ish-or-alive-esque/62133)
**Author:** [@daniel112](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/daniel112)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/dead-ish-or-alive-esque/62133 "2025-02-26T17:01:12Z")
For organisms barely moving and on riding death’s edge - should these be flagged as alive? Or dead, since they’re practically there or will be very soon? Example: I find a beetle on a bicycle path that has been run over… --- ## [Identification annotations help](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/identification-annotations-help/60494)
**Author:** [@nick2524](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nick2524)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/identification-annotations-help/60494 "2025-02-25T19:28:05Z")
I have been adding annotations to various observations recently and was wondering what the correct annotation for Leaves would be in this situation. The leaves are from the year before and usually have decomposed by that… --- ## [What counts as Threatened?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-counts-as-threatened/60744)
**Author:** [@conorflynn](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/conorflynn)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2025, 2:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-counts-as-threatened/60744 "2025-01-22T14:10:37Z")
I’m trying to find species of conservation concern in my state. Using annotations, I can search for threatened=true, which “includes taxa that have a conservation status with an IUCN equivalent of NT (Near Threatened) o… --- ## [Filter by multiple annotations at a time](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/filter-by-multiple-annotations-at-a-time/59288)
**Author:** [@ncb1221](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ncb1221)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/filter-by-multiple-annotations-at-a-time/59288 "2024-12-14T21:58:52Z")
Platform(s), such as mobile, website, API, other: Website, mobile URLs (aka web addresses) of any pages, if relevant: Identify module Description of need: Improve filtering for different annotations Feature request d… --- ## [Question about Annotations and the future of it](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-annotations-and-the-future-of-it/59251)
**Author:** [@rafapsilva](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/rafapsilva)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-annotations-and-the-future-of-it/59251 "2024-12-11T17:26:08Z")
Will the current app or a future version, or even iNat Next introduce better encouragement for adding annotations, like phenology or life stages, for example? It seems like not many people include these details in their … --- ## [Download annotations summaries for species](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/download-annotations-summaries-for-species/58547)
**Author:** [@icyeye](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/icyeye)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/download-annotations-summaries-for-species/58547 "2024-11-21T19:27:34Z")
I do a lot of work with iNat data accessed through the rinat package for R. I know how to download data with specific annotations (i.e., flowers) via the rinat. I would love to be able to see the total number of annotate… --- ## [Annotations for eggs](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-for-eggs/57492)
**Author:** [@zoempaws](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoempaws)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2024, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/annotations-for-eggs/57492 "2024-10-23T11:50:16Z")
When annotating observations of just eggs, do you put down the Evidence of Presence as egg and organism, with the Life Stage being egg, or do you just put egg for Evidence of Presence? On top of that, would you annotate… --- ## [Organisms killed after observation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/organisms-killed-after-observation/54546)
**Author:** [@pineappleman710](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pineappleman710)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/organisms-killed-after-observation/54546 "2024-09-02T12:53:47Z")
Not trying to upset anyone or start an ethics debate, but obviously there are many reasons an observer might kill an organism, such as hunting or fishing for food, eradicating invasive species, pest control, etc. I am cu… --- ## [Must refresh for leaf annotations to show up after a 'Plants' is identified as 'Flowering Plant'](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/must-refresh-for-leaf-annotations-to-show-up-after-a-plants-is-identified-as-flowering-plant/53136)
**Author:** [@sego7](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sego7)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/must-refresh-for-leaf-annotations-to-show-up-after-a-plants-is-identified-as-flowering-plant/53136 "2024-07-22T21:54:58Z")
Platform (Android, iOS, Website): Website Browser, if a website issue (Firefox, Chrome, etc) : Chrome URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: Screenshots of what you are seeing Before identifi… --- ## ["Established" annotation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/established-annotation/52805)
**Author:** [@bernhard\_hiller](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bernhard_hiller)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2024, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/established-annotation/52805 "2024-06-27T13:21:31Z")
Platform (Android, iOS, Website): web Browser, if a website issue (Firefox, Chrome, etc) : firefox esr URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: any lizard observation, e.g. https://www.inatural… --- ## [Adding both male and female in annotations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/adding-both-male-and-female-in-annotations/51509)
**Author:** [@adesills](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/adesills)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/adding-both-male-and-female-in-annotations/51509 "2024-05-16T20:00:17Z")
I recently added an observation of a pair of Six-spot Burnets in cop. I try to fill in the annotations where i can, (and if i remember, i go back to them if i don’t). On the section for sex you can only add male or fem… [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/annotations/147.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=annotations)