Observation 5167473

The image shows a Cynanthus latirostris, a broad-billed hummingbird, feeding its chicks in the nest. This photograph was taken by Gonzalo, an amateur ornithologist, who posted it on Naturalista, a citizen science portal that aims to bring together amateur birders with professional scientists and others who share the hobby of observing nature. Once there, the photograph was classified as "observation 5167473". On the portal, other users confirmed the species of the bird. Then, then it was "harvested" by iNaturalist, the American - and original - version of the citizen science platform, and selected as "observation of the day". It was then shared in the social networks of the community.

What, exactly, is the merit of this photograph? It has several, actually. Its aesthetic value is obvious: a well-composed photograph that represents a moving scene towards which it is easy to feel empathy. Fascination even. But the photograph shows more than a bird feeding its chicks, it also suggests a photographer. A person that had the luck and/or ability to be present at the right place and at the right time to capture a rare scene. The image has the value of opportunity. It also reflects the ability of the mechanical and digital means to preserve and bring before us phenomena to which we would hardly have access otherwise.

The photograph is an aesthetic object and an indexical document of reality, but in this case it is also small data that becomes part of a big data as it is registered and stored on a digital platform. The photograph is small data as it indicates that such a bird (Cynanthus latirostris), was observed by such a person (Gonzalo), in a specific place (the San Francisco neighborhood in Coyoacán, Mexico City) and at a specific time (February 24, 2017 at 7:41 am). The photograph becomes big data when, added to several other types of data, informs different aspects of biodiversity. Hence, in addition to the above, it also has scientific value.

To this list of values ​​I will add one more: traceability. In each instance through which it has been allocated, photograph 5167473 has received a series of labels, codes, classifications and use licenses that allow it to be traced to its origin and to its author. This is a way of maintaining control, of establishing property rights, of assuring responsibility and accountability and of verifying its truthfulness. In some cases it is also a way to appeal to the authority of the observer's name.

Gonzalo, a seasoned user of Naturalista, was the first birder I approached as an informant. Photograph 5167473 is also a good example of Bourdieu's takable photograph as it deploys the ethos of the birder communities. I have known Gonzalo since I was sixteen; he is the father of one of my oldest friends. In September 2015, when I was just preparing my project to apply for the PhD we met at my friend’s birthday. Gonzalo and I started to talk and I learned that he is a very active member of Naturalista. I have accompanied him on several observation tours since then, and interviewed him on several occasions.