Notebook Addict of the Week: An Amateur Naturalist
This week’s addict is Jace Stansbury of Texas, who keeps notebooks devoted to a very specific purpose: recording observations of nature. Here’s some of the collection:
Jace’s thoughts on keeping notebooks:
I have stacks of pocket-sized notebooks full of observations made over the years and I’m in the process of re-writing these notes in a neater format along with photos that are related to each entry. Some folks use word processing programs and type their recordings, but I prefer mine to be handwritten. I do this because I feel something is lost when you type them up. Handwritten notes have character and personality. Each stroke of the pen or pencil contains a part of the person that made the observation.
More details on note-taking methodology:
At one time I used 4”x 6” lined spiral notebooks, but now prefer Moleskine notebooks, specifically the 3 ½” x 5 ½” unlined reporter’s version
which has acid-free paper. My pen of choice is the Sharpie pens that don’t bleed through, are water resistant and acid free, specifically the Sharpie Ultra Fine Point
and the Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Retractable. But sometimes I’ll use a good old fashioned #2 pencil.
And here’s a sample interior:
This makes me want to stop and look closely at things more often…
See more at Journals of an Amateur Naturalist: Capturing Notes in the Field.
3 Responses to “Notebook Addict of the Week: An Amateur Naturalist”
Pretty cool use of these notebooks. I kinda want to buy the moleskine reporter notebook now.
Cool collection.
-Victoria D.
Victoria, I thought that too! I don’t usually like top-opening notebooks as much, but that photo sort of made me want one!
Those pocket sized notebooks are the best. The top bound ones are easiest to use in my opinion because even open they still fit in the palm of your hand. Sharpies are a great product but the fumes tend to get to me so I prefer a gel pen.
Nice illustration of a velvet ant. We call them Cow Killers around these parts.
Daisy McCarty
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