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Field Notes on Science & Nature
Pioneering a new niche in the study of plants and animals in their native habitat, Field Notes on Science and Nature allows readers to peer over the shoulders and into the notebooks of a dozen eminent field workers, to study firsthand their observational methods, materials, and fleeting impressions.
What did George Schaller note when studying the lions of the Serengeti? What lists did Kenn Kaufman keep during his 1973 “big year”? How does Piotr Naskrecki use relational databases and electronic field notes? In what way is Bernd Heinrich’s approach “truly Thoreauvian,” in E.O. Wilson’s view? Recording observations in the field is an indispensable scientific skill, but researchers are not generally willing to share their personal records with others. Here, for the first time, are reproductions of actual pages from notebooks. And in essays abounding with fascinating anecdotes, the authors reflect on the contexts in which the notes were taken.
Covering disciplines as diverse as ornithology, entomology, ecology, paleontology, anthropology, botany, and animal behavior, Field Notes offers specific examples that professional naturalists can emulate to fine-tune their own field methods, along with practical advice that amateur naturalists and students can use to document their adventures.
What did George Schaller note when studying the lions of the Serengeti? What lists did Kenn Kaufman keep during his 1973 “big year”? How does Piotr Naskrecki use relational databases and electronic field notes? In what way is Bernd Heinrich’s approach “truly Thoreauvian,” in E.O. Wilson’s view? Recording observations in the field is an indispensable scientific skill, but researchers are not generally willing to share their personal records with others. Here, for the first time, are reproductions of actual pages from notebooks. And in essays abounding with fascinating anecdotes, the authors reflect on the contexts in which the notes were taken.
Covering disciplines as diverse as ornithology, entomology, ecology, paleontology, anthropology, botany, and animal behavior, Field Notes offers specific examples that professional naturalists can emulate to fine-tune their own field methods, along with practical advice that amateur naturalists and students can use to document their adventures.
297 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2011
47 people are currently reading
1505 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 28, 2012
Book 47 2012 Reading Challenge -- Twelve prestigious scientists in various fields explain how and why they keep field journals. Some also sketch. The volume is so valuable to me, because it has so many ideas for keeping field journals. Although slanted slightly toward the professional, amateur naturalists will find this volume helpful. Each scientist also shares pages from their journal, so the reader can see an amazing array of approaches to field note taking. In the end, it seems to me that taking notes and making drawings in the field is very much a personal pursuit subject to one's goals and needs. The essayists come from all fields, -- geology, anthropology, botany, zooglogy, ornithology and more. Each chapter provides a biography of the writer and samples of their science writings and research, which, for the most part I found fascinating and interesting -- especially when paired with the journal notes such terrific writing came from. Since I am keeping detailed notes and records of the animals and plants on Mule Springs Farm, this book has been invaluable for me and one I will return to.
August 16, 2011
I loved the reproduced journal pages, which were absolutely riveting. Twelve different field notebooks, twelve different ways of seeing the world, twelve different ways of doing science. Brilliant.
The text was less interesting. Some of the scientists talked about their own personal journaling processes, which was great. Some of them nattered on about their chosen fields, or how I should keep my own personal field notebooks. Some of them were good writers, some of them were not.
The concept is wonderful, the actual leaves from the notebooks wondrous. Worth seeking out for that, most certainly.
The text was less interesting. Some of the scientists talked about their own personal journaling processes, which was great. Some of them nattered on about their chosen fields, or how I should keep my own personal field notebooks. Some of them were good writers, some of them were not.
The concept is wonderful, the actual leaves from the notebooks wondrous. Worth seeking out for that, most certainly.
February 16, 2018
I greatly enjoyed this book! The moment I began reading the introductory pages I felt a great relaxation, as if I had come home to a safe place. I have spent my working life among field biologists though have not been a field person myself. I admire how these authors share not only their experience but their love of nature and of their work.
It is a compilation of essays about the observation of scientific field work and an exploration of field notebooks by the authors. I spent as much time examining the facsimile pages given as examples, as reading the narrative.
It is a compilation of essays about the observation of scientific field work and an exploration of field notebooks by the authors. I spent as much time examining the facsimile pages given as examples, as reading the narrative.
January 12, 2013
The first half of the essays in this collection were delightful, philosophical, and provided a wonderful journey into the minds of brilliant scientists through their field notes and sketchbooks. Should this book have ended here, I would have rated it 4 to 5 stars. Unfortunately, in the second half the essays became progressively drier, and should have really been published as separate collection of essays entitled "Methods of keeping scientific field notes". This might be useful reading for those who actually take part in scientific field work, but is unappealing to the broader audience.
June 6, 2018
A wonderful book about the importance of maintaining written field notebooks, even in the age of technology. Written by multiple scientists across a variety of fields, each with their own ways of writing and maintaining their written field notes, but all agreed in its vital place in capturing observations of nature. Technology can change over time and methods of storing data change and become obsolete, but the written field notebook is timeless. It is important to have some methodology when taking your notes, and there are people who do this to greater and lesser degrees, but some order is required for posterity’s sake of understanding and the scientific value they furnish to future scientists. If you are working in the field or lab, make sure you maintain a notebook and capture all the important and seemingly unimportant pieces of data. As Grinnell is quoted in the book, “write it all down.”
June 14, 2018
This book is about how different kinds of scientists make field notes for their work. Sometimes their notes are simple writing, and sometimes they have drawings, pictures, and poetry. The best field notes show the person who write them, same as the best art. A field journal shows how a person thinks and how they think about research. It can become a second mind or memory. The book also explains how to make your own field journal in different ways. I have started my journal now, it is part Grinnell method and part botanical method. Most, I use it for remember what plants and insects I see when I go for my walks. I think this book shows it is more important keep a journal, more than which kind you keep.
December 29, 2016
I had the impression this consisted of scientists talking about their work in the context of their field notes. But it's less for a reader interested in science and methodology than it is for students who need to be convinced of the utility of taking field notes, and how best to take them. Which I am not. So...seems like a well put together book I am not the audience for.
July 25, 2023
This is a really nice book for those interested in science and writing. It consists of essays by a number of different field biologists who share the value of field notebooks to them and some even provide recommendations for how to start your own field notebooks. I was impressed. This was an engaging book, not dry at all. And some of the illustrations are just beautiful.
September 25, 2021
This was a fun look at the different ways field scientist approach note-taking, from biologists running a species survey to an illustrator explaining color matching, using tools from paper notebooks to digital databases.
March 3, 2019
Fascinating comparing the field journal pages.
September 10, 2022
I mean, it's a science book. Interesting but it was for school
May 24, 2023
Read 4 of the essays before due back. Hope to return! Should be influential on my career
September 27, 2024
a subject close to my heart. inspiring and beautiful examples.
January 7, 2016
“Field Notes on Science & Nature” – edited by Michael R Canfield and published in 2011 by Harvard University Press. This was a fascinating glimpse into the ways scientists use field notes and other methods of recording their observations. A dozen researchers from different specializations contributed both discussion and striking examples of their journals and notes, many times including detailed maps, sketches, and full-blown paintings.
Common refrains are: “meticulous record keeping” is of prime importance, “the goal is to paint a picture of the current context of your work,” “memory is notoriously imprecise,” and “journals are memory prompts.” They agree that the notes must be written so that future researchers can easily interpret them and expressed interesting reflections on the reality that “the era of paper is fading fast.” One quote I will keep with me, “There’s a pulse in each new fact; catch the rhythm before it dies.”
In many ways, I can apply this to my own genealogy research. I’m envious of the ability of these researchers, following in the footsteps of many others including “the patron saint of field workers, Charles Darwin,” to spend their time in such a way, creating their own time capsules. One chapter ends wryly, “After all, field notes on droppings do provide useful insights.” The book was well worth reading.
Common refrains are: “meticulous record keeping” is of prime importance, “the goal is to paint a picture of the current context of your work,” “memory is notoriously imprecise,” and “journals are memory prompts.” They agree that the notes must be written so that future researchers can easily interpret them and expressed interesting reflections on the reality that “the era of paper is fading fast.” One quote I will keep with me, “There’s a pulse in each new fact; catch the rhythm before it dies.”
In many ways, I can apply this to my own genealogy research. I’m envious of the ability of these researchers, following in the footsteps of many others including “the patron saint of field workers, Charles Darwin,” to spend their time in such a way, creating their own time capsules. One chapter ends wryly, “After all, field notes on droppings do provide useful insights.” The book was well worth reading.
January 29, 2013
An absolutely delightful exploration of the art and science of scientific field notebooks, why and how to keep them. Packed with practical insight and also with images from practitioners' own notebooks. Some of the anecdotes make the book worthwhile on their own: the one that stood out for me was Thomas Jefferson's devotion to weather observation being so intense that he made four entries on the day he was also drafting the American Declaration of Independence.
A lot of the pleasure comes form the insight into the ways different fields have to deal with their field data -- and, for a computer scientist, how inferior to the normal notebook many computer-based approaches can appear. Since I stopped taking notes on-line and started using a digitising pen, I can see the points and see how some technologies will help out more in the future, but it's still a challenge to get the same level of interaction possible with paper and (possibly coloured) pencils.
A lot of the pleasure comes form the insight into the ways different fields have to deal with their field data -- and, for a computer scientist, how inferior to the normal notebook many computer-based approaches can appear. Since I stopped taking notes on-line and started using a digitising pen, I can see the points and see how some technologies will help out more in the future, but it's still a challenge to get the same level of interaction possible with paper and (possibly coloured) pencils.
February 6, 2014
I liked this book just for making me think about something that I don't normally think about. One of the things it made me think about is the degree to which scientists think of field notes as being supplementary to data, and that those observations and experiences may we worthwhile to generations of future scientists. What I find interesting is that most professions, especially web designers, don't think this way about their own work. Other than that, the illustrations are beautiful, and I really enjoyed the essays that discussed specific strategies for notetaking vs more general overviews: the essay on sketching observations as a way to explore animal anatomy was fascinating, as well as the following essay on sketching techniques, and the essay on list making were particular stand outs for me.
July 14, 2017
This is one of my most memorable books of 2011, both in terms of the book itself, but also the memories it evoked of field work that I have been involved in, and the field notebooks that I still have to this day, although I think many of them are still in an attic somewhere.
This book covers all sorts of field "journals" from the traditional paper and pen/cil to digital and computerised. It includes insights, including reproductions of the journals themselves, from some very famous and eminent naturalists, many of whom are heroes of mine.
This probably won't be everyone's cup-of-tea, because it is quite a dry subject, but I'd recommend to any budding naturalist or anyone who wants a deeper insight into natural history.
This book covers all sorts of field "journals" from the traditional paper and pen/cil to digital and computerised. It includes insights, including reproductions of the journals themselves, from some very famous and eminent naturalists, many of whom are heroes of mine.
This probably won't be everyone's cup-of-tea, because it is quite a dry subject, but I'd recommend to any budding naturalist or anyone who wants a deeper insight into natural history.
May 31, 2012
This is an anthology of commentary on the role of field notes and field notebooks in contemporary science. Each chapter is written by a different scientist. Most of the chapters are interesting to a lay reader with an interest in science. A small number of them are very specific to working scientists in a field similar to the author. Each chapter contains images of the notes of the author or the notes of famous naturalists from history.
October 31, 2015
Each of the chapters in this book gave some really great insight into the possibilities and advantages with keeping field notes. It's another book that is helping me figure out my focus, finding that perfect science/art balance, and I really enjoyed reading it. The examples shown that included drawings, sketches, photos and maps were great inspiration for anyone who likes the concept of field notes.
February 23, 2016
Pretty much a must read for anyone who likes nature and observing, from those just doing it for fun to those doing it as a career. Lots of different input from lots of different people and backgrounds all talking about how they keep their info straight. Lots of tips on how to organize, what to have in the book and what materials you might need. Great book.
March 1, 2013
Sometimes it feels like every inch of the planet we live on has already been dug up and explored in exhaustive detail. But it's just not true. Part of being present in the world is to observe the things in your own backyard, to ask questions, to interact with science and nature, and document it all in a field notebook.
This book has some of the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen.
This book has some of the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen.
April 30, 2014
This was a one-of-a-kind book. What a great idea to celebrate that long naturalist's tradition of making notes in the field. The passion of the well-selected authors is tangible, and they manage to conjure up images of those best of times: ones spent in the field. It made me rethink my own note-keeping habits and cherish the small row of field books I keep in my office.
September 19, 2016
Interesting book on the rationale for keeping a field book or nature journal. I'm not a scientist, but just a budding amateur naturalist. Based on the book, I plan to keep a field book and the last essay by Erick Greene gives the Best Practices for keeping a field book (starting on page 260)! So get out and enjoy the natural world!
October 3, 2011
Enjoyed this book. I especially liked the "Why Sketch?" essay by Jenny Keller, a real artist. (heh) and the "Note-Taking for Pencilophobes" was also so interesting, by a guy who developed his own database software.
July 14, 2012
I found this book about botanical field books extremely interesting covering areas ornithology, entomology, ecology, paleontology, anthropology, botany and animal behavior. Nice illustrations of different field book entries.
September 26, 2015
An excellent book, and one I think should be on the reading list of every budding Natural History student.
January 6, 2012
an excellent book on the art of writing field notes.
Want to read
March 15, 2012
Read
May 4, 2012Wonderful homework as I prepared for my next session of "Wenatchee Naturalists".
Chapters written by 12 leading conservation biologists...all my heros!
Chapters written by 12 leading conservation biologists...all my heros!
May 15, 2013
diverse perspectives, helped me think about my own scientific note taking, gave me ideas for improvement
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews