"Bug" field trips or group activities?

I'm an amateur naturalist in the SF Bay Area who is interested in learning more about the behavior and identification of insects and other arthropods. I'm learning a lot from this wonderful web site (a big thanks to all the editors and contributors!) and I'm planning on taking a continuing education course on insect diversity at Stanford in the fall.

Does anyone know if there are groups that lead "bug walks" or provide other hands-on experience in finding, ID'ing or collecting arthropods in my area? I understand that a lot of this can be learned on one's own through trial and error, but it seems that some mentors would accelerate the process...

Addendum: I guess that nobody knows of anything in my area, or perhaps there aren't many bug guide folks near San Francisco? I would like to broaden the topic and add that I would love to hear how other people got their initial mentoring or help with insects? Forgetting the San Francisco area for now, are there societies anywhere in North America that sponsor occasional workshops or walks for interested amateurs??

Thanks!
Ken

Contributed by Ken Schneider on 13 September, 2007 - 4:15pm
Last updated 17 September, 2007 - 11:41am

You might want to join flickr. . .

the well-known photo group on the web. flickr is divided into myriad groups. A few you might be interested in are:

"Bay Nature" at

http://www.flickr.com/groups/baynature/

and

"California Wildlife" at

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cawildlife/

There are so many more dealing with insects, etc. If you're going to photograph insects, it's the way to go. It was very helpful in insect ID in my area. Some of the members of some of the groups get together for photo shoots. It's easy & free to become a member:

http://flickr.com/

Have fun!

… cookie1234, 26 August, 2008 - 3:08pm

There are some

I know the Toronto Entomology Association has many outings for anyone interested. The field trips range from spider walks to moth nights and cover everything in between. In Alberta, due perhaps to both a smaller population and a colder climate, these types of outings are much rarer. I'm sure you have learned more over the past year, Ken, but these things do exist.

… Warren, 26 August, 2008 - 10:58am

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