I read the title "3 Ways to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook" and felt that buzz of inspiration. But, reading the post, it was just about other people's projects, people long gone and famous for their other writing. It wasn't what I was hoping for. I wanted something, fresh, something on the scale of in my own backyard versus famous places and perfect settings. So, what was there to do but collect my own ideas for a backyard naturalist, like myself.

First of all, if you don't have a backyard, there is a whole world out there. Take a look at a local public place like a church, cemetery, park, or get creative. Being a naturalist isn't just about walking around in a forested area. Studying urban areas is important too. Even if you walk on paved ground instead of grass, nature can be found. Not even just outdoors!

Make notes about what you see. Including illustrations. Don't try creating masterpieces with your drawings. They can just add to your words as you find more to be curious about, or make note of. If you make a digital notebook you can add digital photos. Later you can look into a magnifying glass and fancier equipment. But, the main thing is to see what you discover while its still out there to be seen. Technology and more equipment can be distracting and time consuming. To start with at least, stick to a pencil and notebook for quick notes.

What can you find in your immediate, local ecosystem? Learn to identify different plants growing in your backyard. What types of grass are in your lawn? What are the "weeds" you see? Watch for animals in your yard, not just birds. What do they find to eat and how do they eat? Do they interact or avoid each other? Add details like the location, season, the weather, time of day, colours, texture, how they move (or blow in the wind), so many details you can think to add once you get started.

Consider all your senses when making observations and notes: sight, sound, smell, hearing and touch. Include your sixth sense, your feelings, too. Avoid touching poisonous plants. Try not to disturb animals and plants in general. That doesn't mean you can't touch things around you, just learn to understand them without endangering or upsetting them. You don't want to harm life while studying life - be responsible for your actions, not a bumbling professor uncaring/ thoughtless about the chaos your actions can create.

How does the environment affect the natural world? The environment can include the location, traffic from vehicles or people, buildings, sidewalks, fences, a river, trees, everything. I think of the odd weed poking up in an otherwise pristine sidewalk. There is the natural world surviving in the environment it finds itself in.

Take time and return. You may see something interesting while busy and make quick notes before moving along. But, plan ahead and choose a time and location where you are not rushed and can return to again and again. Things change in the natural world. You need more than one visit. Try a sunny day and later a rainy day, even in the same week.

You could make a study of just one weed growing where it manages to get a start. What changes day by day? What struggles does that weed have? Does it grow to full height or remain stunted? Does it produce flowers or seeds? If someone pulls it out, does it have enough root to grow back? Endless questions and observations.

Don't forget the motto (used by urban explorers) "take only photographs, leave only footprints". Whatever you bring with you should leave with you, no littering. On the other hand, don't remove things from their environment. Instead hope you will see them/it again next time you visit. I make an exception for seeds and clippings from plants which you could add to your notes. But, don't harm the plants, make sure there is enough of it to keep thriving. In some locations you may need to stay on trails, especially in fragile ecosystems. Think of it as the butterfly effect without the time machine.

Dress appropriately. Think about insects (bees and mosquitos). Think about the weather. Bright colours or anything flashy will make it harder to watch animals, no matter how patiently you wait. Bring everything with you in an easy to haul around backpack or something else that works well for you.

Give yourself credit for what you have learned, progress you have made in understanding the ecosystem and new discoveries you make. Celebrate your discoveries. Add to your research by looking into history and lore about the plants and animals in your own backyard. Which plants are edible? Find out about foraging and cooking/ baking with wild plants. Learn tracking skills for seeing where the animals came from and where they go.

Here are some reflection questions to help you choose your next outdoor adventure: What am I excited to learn outside? What would be easy for me to do in the amount of time I have? What would be easy for me to do in the locations I have nearby? What areas of nature study am I most passionate about? What areas of nature study have I not done in awhile? If you ever get stuck and unable to go deeper in a particular area of naturalist curricullum… simply take a break and go study something else for awhile!

Quoted from Brian Mertins, Nova Scotia.

• Discover the World Around You: Your Guide to Becoming an Amateur Naturalist
• Citizen Science 101: What It Is and Why It Matters
• Backyard Naturalist podcast (US based).
• Backyard Naturalist (Australia)

It's not soft and cuddly, does it purr? Why is pink the preferred colour? I think it would end up in a drawer or lost in the closet after awhile. Still, the idea for robot pets is out there and they aren't as expensive as I thought. Source for image.

A houseplant might still be better for companionship. Unless its a fake plant. I don't have the feeling of something alive from the plastic robot kitten, even though it is kind of cute. Some things can only come from reality. I wonder if robots, artificial intelligence, or whatever comes next will ever be able to build that feeling of connecting with something else alive, living and having real feelings?

I like that its simulating a cat, not trying to be life like. There are life like looking cats too but I'd be really disappointed once the fur starts to get matted, or falling out, or whatever might happen to it over time.

There are cat simulation games. Not the same and yet possibly more convenient. But, if I'm having a desktop, virtual cat, I don't want one that will die if I don't feed it every day. A virtual cat should just be there when I want it, not needing me for anything. It's not real after all.

Is a fake pet convenient for those who don't want to deal with emotional or physical needs of another person, animal, or even a plant? Would a pet rock be just as good? A rock would have endless patience and could be kept warm for whenever you pick it up.

It all depends on what a person is really looking for in a pet? Is it a caring companion, do you want to be it's parent, or do you just want something alive there when you come home?

Tomato cages are the best thing I can think of for the garden. Sure there are other garden tools but what else can you leave out there season after season, rain, sun or even the occasional late or early snow? Tomato cages!

Of course, tomato cages aren't just for tomatoes.

In our garden tomatoes aren't even the first plant we put the tomato cages on. Anything which tends to grow tall and then fall over gets it's own cage. Not for the plants which fall over as they finish their season but those which will bloom all summer. You don't want the plant to need the tomato cage. Plants should be able to battle the wind and still stand upright (unless heavy with fruit or vegetables).

Tomato cages work great for daisies of all kinds. The flowers tend to make the plant top heavy and then you don't see them even though they can bloom all summer.

Climbing plants can grow up a tomato cage but this is best for annual climbers because you want your perennials to grow up something permanent like a garden fence, a shed, a gazebo, the wall of your house, or a trellis of whatever kind you choose.

Tomato cages can train your shrubs and bushes.

We used to rope the Rose of Sharon bushes up to the fence every year. But, over winter the ropes we used (to be fair we just used what was around, even birthday party ribbons more than once) the ropes broke and the plants tend to overlap them in between seasons as we prune branches and new branches grow out. So, we started using tomato cages while the plants were still small to a medium tall in size. Once they grew too big we went back to the usual staking them up with rope, ribbon, etc. However, the plants grew pretty straight while the cage trained them so most don't need help now. Just the occasional branch which grows too far over the driveway and might scratch the vehicles.

Just for fun... decorate your tomato cages.

Add some sparkly things, twine some ribbon through the bars and whatever other great idea you get. People use tomato cages to make Christmas trees but they are so over looked as a great, cheap and fun way to decorate your garden.

Sadly, I did not see hot pink tomato cages on Amazon. I would have loved that colour in the garden. You can find yellow, red, green, blue and Earth tone colours via Amazon.

But, don't settle for less than the colour you want. Spray paint the tomato cage any colour you choose.