There's nothing I love more than getting out and about with my camera. In fact here in the building I'm one of two resident shutter bugs and all the wonderful weirdness here in the golden spread has definitely kept me busy. Case in point visiting the Bug Ranch:

Michael J. Rivera, Townsquare Media
Michael J. Rivera, Townsquare Media
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This weekend I'm putting away my camera and taking out my smartphone and looking for different kinds of bugs. Today marks the start of a big nature challenge statewide and anyone can join the fun. All you need is the iNaturalist app. What I love about this is anyone with a phone can do this so it levels out the playing field. Let's face it big DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras are expensive and dare I say this as someone who owns a ton of gear... the phones are starting to catch up.

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This app lets you share your nature encounters with other like minded nature lovers not just around the state but around the globe too while providing documentation on conversation over your pictures.

Michael J. Rivera/Townsquare Media
Michael J. Rivera/Townsquare Media
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Now here in the Panhandle there are plenty of amazing little critters that if you really follow them around have interesting habitats and lifestyles, I'll bet some fo you have pictures of Birds, Snakes, Rabbits, Mice and the occasional Sod Poodle on your phone giving you a nice little pose. If not, there are plenty of places here in the panhandle where you can check in and just spend the day observing.

Michael J. Rivera, Townsquare Media
Michael J. Rivera, Townsquare Media
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The Challenge

The iNaturalist App is running a challenge this weekend for the Texas City or County with the greatest number of research grade identifications. It's definitely not a money prize but I'll say this, I've never met anyone who didn't like braggin' rights.

Let's get out there and show the rest of the Lone Star what we got here in the Panhandle, and if you need a refresher... keep scrolling

Wildlife of the Texas Panhandle

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