Nature Identification Thread #11- Now Paying out Steem Basic Income Memberships to Participants!

in #nature6 years ago

It's time for the weekly nature identification thread! Post pictures of plants, animals, rocks, or other cool stuff that you've photographed but can't identify, and I, along with anyone else who would like to help, will try and help you identify it. I'll be making some changes to it- most notably, I'll be using the SBD proceeds from this post to give out @steembasicincome memberships to people who post stuff to be identified or help me identify photos.


The nautiluses of the Indian Ocean are the last surviving remnants of the once mighty nautiloid family. These cephalopds once reached enormous size- I actually did a post on it a while back. The remaining nautiluses have come under threat by humans, who seek them out for their gorgeous shells. [Image source]

Remember: The most important information you can give along with any photo to be identified is its geographical location. This narrows down the range of possibilities more than any other info you can provide.

Plants:
Along with the photo, add where you found it, the time of year, the approximate altitude, and any interesting scents or textures not caught in the photo.

Animals:
Along with the photo, add the location you found it, the time of year, the sounds it made, any interesting behaviors, and any other features not caught well in the photo.

Rocks:
Along with the photo, add the location you found it, a description of the terrain it was found in, whether it was attached to a rock outcrop or found loose on the ground or buried in the soil, a description of its texture (especially its grain size), and a description of its weight and density. Fossils are included in this category.

Fungi:
I will not be identifying mushrooms and fungi for the most part unless I can point to it and go "Yeah, that's poisonous." I will definitely not be identifying edible mushrooms. Mushrooms should really only be identified for foraging purposes in person and by an expert. If another contributor wishes to identify them, that's their call, but I encourage them to be similarly cautious. I might also identify a few fungi that are clearly not being looked at for the purposes of eating, but that'll be a case by case decision.

@motordrive, @katysavage, @apple96, @valth, & @svarozich all earned @steembasicincome memberships for submitting to the last nature identification thread or helping identify submissions. There were more people that submitted or participated, but SBI shares are limited to what I can afford with the SBD payout of the post, which converted into enough for six memberships.


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BDC971A2-2DE5-495A-B8DE-F74F8FFB1A54.jpeg

Not sure if this bird is easily identifiable, not too close of a shot

Found a few weeks back north of Seattle, in a parking lot by tulip festival

Thanks for doing these! I'm thrilled so far with the identification done

According to my ornithologist wife, its probably a rusty blackbird, but it could be a Brewer's blackbird as well. A distant third possibility is a common grackle.

I'm guessing Brewer's blackbird as wikipedia lists its range includes WA state and is 'least concern' while the rust blackbird is vulnerable ranges in Canada or eastern USA

Thanks for the input from you and your wife, judging from the pics and wiki I'm pretty sure this is right!

Thanks!

Nice ID! You're definitely earning a SBI membership, unless your wife has a Steemit account and wants it.

My wife doesn't have an account (yet) so I'll take it. Thanks!

Hey @mountainwashere and followers. I hope all is well? Ok let's take a look at this one.

Screen Shot 2018-05-18 at 5.07.25 pm.png

This is an in-situ photo of a rock cropping out near sea level, on a wave cut platform. This is from sea level next to the Indian Ocean. Looks a bit like coral. But not sure...

Boot and camera case for scale. But what do you and your and followers think?
Thanks!

ps. there is of course sand and shells covering the rock in places as well from the nearby beach...

Oooh, tough one! It could be coral, or coral based limestone, certainly. If there's one thing that these threads (and your submissions) are showing me, it's how reliant on non-optical diagnostic criteria I am for rock identification.

Agreed that looks like coral! But not sure. Your observations are sound however.

Full agreement as well that a picture tells a thousand words but as you mention, non-visual observations are also essential with rocks (e.g. reaction with HCl, etc). Great feedback and insight - thanks!

IMG_20180512_110324.jpg
Ooh, I have one. In Denver, CO (so, ~5280 ft above sea level). This tree was in a parking lot (so, probably not native) and smelled GLORIOUS!

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