"The naturalist suffers a pleasant nuisance – not being able to walk 100 yards without being tied to the spot by some new and wondrous creature."

• Charles Darwin

My hiking partners and younger brother in particular will associate well with this quote. Forever egging me to keep moving so that we do not miss the light or the train or opportunity to summit another Munro (Scotland mountain >1000m elevation).

I have been an amateur photographer for many years since I was introduced to my first KODAY point, click and process camera in the 1970s. Today with digital point-and-shoot cameras I continue my hobby of photography, predominantly of landscapes and travel. I was, however, introduced to the iNaturalist.org app, and website, recently by a work colleague. Coincidentally I also read about it in an Environmental e-newsletter I receive, serendipity at its best. I thought I would try it and I am amazed at the quality of the app and it assists me in focusing on the sounds and sights, flora and fauna around me. I am also learning the identification of many of the species I see on a daily basis. This encourages me to be more aware of my surroundings and I am really enjoying this new perspective.

I am excited every time I photograph something new, when I zoom in on some of the detail I am amazed by the intricacies of nature. I continue to learn every day.

Many of the photographs in the database are astounding, kudos to all the observers/photographers/reviewers.