Well, it really feels like I've just been dumped in a lake and I either have to learn to swim, or I'll sink. It is the third day and I have to know about 150 plants. Not only this, but most ID is only based on vegetative features because not everything has gone into flower yet. It is not so bad when all of the characteristics for each plant are pointed out in the field, but it requires a lot of studying in the evenings. The hardest ones are the graminoid plants like the grasses and sedges, but it is nice that the field features for all of these are being described so that ideally I wouldn't need to use more than a hand lens and ruler.
The regular day thus far is a plant quiz in the morning, and then the rest of the day (8:30-4:30) we learn plants in the field. Notes also consist of collected plant samples. I officially start sampling plots in a week from this Monday.
I will be posting some pictures soon.
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Wow, that sounds super intense, but also really awesome! Good luck with all those plant names. I'm sure you'll be fine... just don't start pulling all-nighters, please.
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