When venturing out to explore the natural world, which surrounds us at all times, we offer suggestions to make the experience truly enriching. Equipping yourself with a Field Guide can enhance the experience by aiding in quick identification and fostering deeper engagement. Engage with the various elements of nature, marvel at their beauty and observe their behaviors, whether familiar or new.

Things to get started:

Spotting birds, insects, rocks, plants, and even clouds can be a rejuvenating activity, extending beyond just visiting tourist hotspots. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Select a specific area of interest within Ecology: Birds, Insects, Plants, Trees, or perhaps delve into Geology (Rocks) given its relevance to landscape.
2. Choose a compact and user-friendly nature field guide. Explore reviews and consider participating in organized birding trips, tree walks, or nature outings organized by various groups across India.
3. Carry a notebook and pen/pencil to jot down observations in the field.
4. Utilize identification apps to aid in species recognition.

At India Nearby, we are particularly passionate about birds, butterflies, and the ever-changing sky with its clouds. To facilitate your exploration, we are in the process of developing single-sheet foldable field guides for birds and butterflies, especially for starters. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come—they’ll soon be available for purchase on our website.

We welcome your feedback on these previews and encourage you to reach out with any specific questions or inquiries you may have. Happy exploring!

Birdspotting Field Guide (for starters)

We are in the process of completing two field guides to the birds of India. One is water birds, the other on neighbour hood birds – both rural and urban. These cover most of the birds you will encounter in any trip you take. There are enough birds that any begginer birder will find new and covered here.

Cloud Spotting Field Guide

Earth is alive! And there is no better way to see it than to look up to the sky.

Each day, every hour, every moment, the sky is changing. Not just the colors of the day, but the clouds in the sky. With each season and time of day, clouds form change and move. The drama in the sky is live all the time, even at night! Cloud forms tell about the weather, help predict change in weather. Sometimes peculair, sometimes dramatic – everytime something different. Learn to spot cloud forms – it’s much more than rain or than that puff in the sky!