Your Phone is a Pocket Naturalist: Testing out the Seek App

For a long time I’ve awaited an app that would identify plants. After all, a robot can much more efficiently scan through thousands of images and names, when my brain is a leaky cauldron. I was surprised to learn that an identification app already exists!

The Seek app (by the already well-known iNaturalist) uses an enormous catalog of stored images to identify organisms in real time (even without cell service). I recently led a nature walk to test the app in Montana, and then used it on exotic plants in the amazing greenhouse at the University of Wyoming. Here’s what I found:

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Plants

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The app works well on plants that are currently flowering or have perfect leaves. If it doesn’t identify a plant right away, try hovering on different parts of the plant or a different specimen entirely. I was impressed that the app was rarely incorrect, if it landed on a species. Of course, it is not 100% accurate , but it’s a great place to start.

Bonus: It works well on mushrooms!

Animals

We had limited ability to test out the app on living animals, since it’s difficult to get a wild animal into the frame of view on your cell phone. So far I have identified domestic dogs and cats, and it seems to do well on photos of birds. This could still be a useful tool if you have an attachment for your phone to connect to a spotting scope. Otherwise, you might be stuck using the app on photos (*always maintain a safe distance from wildlife).

Tracks and Other Sign

The app quickly identified deer tracks and even a small pile of scat. However, the scat has to be in a “classic” shape. The app failed to recognize the bear scat we found, which was full of seeds and berries.

I was impressed that the app also recognizes structures created by organisms. It identified “woodpeckers” when I held up the camera to some drilled-out holes in a tree.

The app also identifies insects! It worked almost instantly on a ladybird beetle.

Everybody’s a Naturalist!

I am most excited about this app because it is so easy to recommend to friends and family who would like to learn more about the plants, fungi, and other organisms they encounter on a walk. While some might criticize people for constantly whipping out their phones on a nature walk, I see another side. Knowing the names of plants and animals around me helps me feel more connected to my environment. If it isn’t just pretty wildflowers in the meadow, but harebells, balsamroot, and shooting stars, your world starts to open up a bit more.

*Seek is free to download.