I've been playing around with photo apps on my iPhone to save and categorize photos of wild plants. This helps me memorize the plants and also remember how to use them in the field. Recently I've been using an app called "Over" that lets you type information directly on the image itself. Here's an example:
As you can see, I've typed in the plant name in large font. Then in smaller font I've listed that it goes by another name, "hollyberry," followed by common ways the plant can be used.
I shoot the photo in the field. Later I add in the useful info after consulting one or more guidebooks. This way, in the future, I won't have to tote various guidebooks in my pack, and I can include only info in the photo that's important to me.
The "Over" app costs $1.99, and it allows you to choose different fonts, sizes, move the fonts around, add graphics, and lots of other stuff. You can also change the font color, which may be helpful so the words stand out against the photo. There are similar free apps, and some are available for both iPhone and Android phones. For a review of several, click here.
I was never a big fan of bringing my phone along on hikes. But this kind of tool has made it worthwhile. Now I usually put the phone on "airplane mode" so nobody can bother me in the woods, and yet it's still with me in case of emergency.
I think these apps are worth a try to create a custom guidebook to your local plants and critters.
