Digital camera
Internet connection
Time!
Method:
1. Take your camera and walk outside
2. Look closely at your surroundings - on bushes and flowers, under rocks, rotting wood, tree bark
3. Take photos of anything interesting
4. Join up at naturewatch.org.nz
5. Login and add New Observation. Consult your books OR tick the Identification Required box
6. Search for your area and see what others have discovered near you
7. Repeat steps 1-6 as many times as you like :)
Here are some of my results - perfect baking with zero calories...
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| Sori on Prickly Shield Fern (Polystichum vestitum) - the light coloured circle over each sori is a protective cover called indusium |
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| Longlegged Harvestman - either Megalopsalis or Pantopsalis see http://soilbugs.massey.ac.nz/opiliones.php |
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| Zorion australe - common throughout New Zealand, can you find one? |
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| Stemonitis (possibly fusca) - a slime mould found on some decaying wood see http://photogenicimage.com/images/stemonitis-fusca-by-nick-cantle/ for an amazing time-lapse video |
or their blog at http://nzbrn.blogspot.co.nz/
