Observation Hobbies
A collection of illustrations and comment on the subject of Observation Hobbies.
These are pastimes that involve observing things.
The hobby may require little or no equipment - for example in train spotting - or investing in the most powerful telescope you can afford for amateur astronomy.
There may be physical effort required to get to the ideal spot to see Golden Eagles in birding or great patience to time the perfect photograph.
Observation hobbies fulfil many typical hobby requirements
This page is a part of my own hobby which involves drawing illustrated AZ collections of things people do.
Turns out they do a heck of a lot!
These are pastimes that involve observing things.
The hobby may require little or no equipment - for example in train spotting - or investing in the most powerful telescope you can afford for amateur astronomy.
There may be physical effort required to get to the ideal spot to see Golden Eagles in birding or great patience to time the perfect photograph.
Observation hobbies fulfil many typical hobby requirements
- filling time in a positive pursuit
- collecting images and memories.
- filing them in catalogues and digital files
- acquiring knowledge in a particular area
This page is a part of my own hobby which involves drawing illustrated AZ collections of things people do.
Turns out they do a heck of a lot!
Aircraft Spotting
Groups of people gather in airports - in the observation lobby or outside the airfield perimeter - and watch, record, video the planes landing and taking off.
In some more interesting parts of the world they occasionally get arrested and charged with spying.
In some more interesting parts of the world they occasionally get arrested and charged with spying.
Plane Spotting Gifts >>
Astronomy
Using a powerful telescope to gaze at the stars. The only downside I can see is needing to be up when its dark. Good for people who don't sleep too well.
Why are false teeth like astronomers? They only come out at night.
What is the difference between an astronomer and an astrologer? One allows planets and stars to rule their lives - the other creates horoscopes.
Why are false teeth like astronomers? They only come out at night.
What is the difference between an astronomer and an astrologer? One allows planets and stars to rule their lives - the other creates horoscopes.
Astronomy Gifts >>
Bird Watching
Take high-powered binoculars and camera out to search for the elusive lesser-spotted something or other.
There is an element of conservation involved in this observing of birds and like many pastimes it involves collecting. Each species spotted can be filed away - ideally with pictures on a website to share with others who share the passion.
Most reasonable people no longer collect birds eggs which is a good thing.
There is an element of conservation involved in this observing of birds and like many pastimes it involves collecting. Each species spotted can be filed away - ideally with pictures on a website to share with others who share the passion.
Most reasonable people no longer collect birds eggs which is a good thing.
Birdwatching Stickman Gifts >>
Geocaching
Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt and ramble combined. Using GPS signals and other clues, navigate your way to a secret stash. Marvel at objects and replace with one of your own for the next geocacher.
Don't forget to sign the log!
Don't forget to sign the log!
Geocaching Gifts >>
Mudlarking
The original mudlarkers were impoverished Victorian children searching the filthy Thames shoreline for anything of value.
Nowadays mudlarking is a hobby for pleasure, like beachcombing but by a river or lake.
Nowadays mudlarking is a hobby for pleasure, like beachcombing but by a river or lake.
Mudlarking Gifts >>
People Watching
Not entirely sure this is a recognized hobby but sitting in a café bar watching people go by is definitely a popular leisure activity.
Why do we enjoy watching so much? Looking for a mate, measuring ourselves against others, maybe just curiosity.
Why do we enjoy watching so much? Looking for a mate, measuring ourselves against others, maybe just curiosity.
Photography
From the invention of the camera through to the selfie obsessed phone camera users - people have been fascinated by photography. Recording themselves, family, sport, weddings - the list is endless as visual memories to be captured and stored.
A photographer is a person who takes the happy snap style of image recording a little further. They may purchase a proper camera with lenses for telephoto or macro use.
It is unlikely they will spend too much time with a phone camera on the end of a stick recording themselves eating their breakfast for Facebook.
It is the art and skill of photography which provides almost the entire world to view from our computer screens.
Be aware that regular camera users are likely to snap at any time.
A photographer is a person who takes the happy snap style of image recording a little further. They may purchase a proper camera with lenses for telephoto or macro use.
It is unlikely they will spend too much time with a phone camera on the end of a stick recording themselves eating their breakfast for Facebook.
It is the art and skill of photography which provides almost the entire world to view from our computer screens.
Be aware that regular camera users are likely to snap at any time.
Photography Stickman Gifts >>
Reading
Reading a book can take you anywhere. Observing through the writer's words, perhaps a bit of a stretch to include it on the observation page.
No matter. Of all the hobbies, reading is the one that offers endless unlimited occupation. Buy second hand books for a fraction of the cost of new ones and expand your world view.
No matter. Of all the hobbies, reading is the one that offers endless unlimited occupation. Buy second hand books for a fraction of the cost of new ones and expand your world view.
Reading Stickman Gifts >>
Selfie
Many people seem to spend much of their time observing themselves.
Not content with that level of narcissism they move up a level by posting these pictures to the internet.
Look at me in front of something. Think tourist postcards with your own face stuck on the front.
People have always had a fascination with their own image. The classical paintings of rich people to hang on their own walls, early camera shots, the Polaroid and now the mobile phone - with everything you need to instantly send your face worldwide.
Look at me!
The shame is that while people are wondering whether their nose is too big or how a Kardashian manages to maximize their supposed attractiveness - there is a whole world of fascinating real stuff out there.
Not content with that level of narcissism they move up a level by posting these pictures to the internet.
Look at me in front of something. Think tourist postcards with your own face stuck on the front.
People have always had a fascination with their own image. The classical paintings of rich people to hang on their own walls, early camera shots, the Polaroid and now the mobile phone - with everything you need to instantly send your face worldwide.
Look at me!
The shame is that while people are wondering whether their nose is too big or how a Kardashian manages to maximize their supposed attractiveness - there is a whole world of fascinating real stuff out there.
Blah Blah Blah Gifts >>
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is an active looking hobby but mostly involves floating in the water and observing what lays beneath.
Our bodies are pretty well designed to stay at the surface and with a breathing tube for air it is possible to float like this for considerable periods.
In clear warm waters this is a perfect way to observe creatures and plants that live in the sea.
Our bodies are pretty well designed to stay at the surface and with a breathing tube for air it is possible to float like this for considerable periods.
In clear warm waters this is a perfect way to observe creatures and plants that live in the sea.
Snorkeling Gifts >>
Tourism
There seem to be two main types of tourism.
One is spending two weeks lazing on a beach near a bar and restaurant. Well-deserved and no doubt restful.
The other is to use the holiday break and hard-earned cash to visit destinations across the globe. There are so many sights to see and experience that cannot be replicated purely by browsing the internet.
An example is Stonehenge below.
One is spending two weeks lazing on a beach near a bar and restaurant. Well-deserved and no doubt restful.
The other is to use the holiday break and hard-earned cash to visit destinations across the globe. There are so many sights to see and experience that cannot be replicated purely by browsing the internet.
An example is Stonehenge below.
Stonehenge Gifts >>
Trainspotting
For people who find stamp collecting to be too exciting.
Ok, that's a little unfair. Trains are a marvelous engineering feat and a connection to our glorious past. They are the stuff of schoolboy and middle aged male fantasy. To be a train driver! To own a decent train set!
To spend hours at the railway track waiting for a certain locomotive to thunder past - that is no bad way to pass the time.
Ok, that's a little unfair. Trains are a marvelous engineering feat and a connection to our glorious past. They are the stuff of schoolboy and middle aged male fantasy. To be a train driver! To own a decent train set!
To spend hours at the railway track waiting for a certain locomotive to thunder past - that is no bad way to pass the time.
Trainspotting Gifts >>
Watching TV
The ultimate in passive entertainment. Sit in front of your television and let it play.
One of the top forms of relaxation, many people grew up with a TV in their living space.
Some live broadcasts can be an exciting shared experience. Live sport for example. Other major events might be a Royal wedding, the Olympics opening ceremony or Election night.
The usual fare of soaps, news, comedy, drama is pumped into homes in an endless, and often repetitive, stream of programmed entertainment.
Television watching had its heyday before the internet grew up. Now people can choose what they want and when they want it.
And they are voting with their controls.
Watching TV
Whale Watching
The largest creatures on the planet - peacefully moving through the seas.
People take trips to see whales in their natural environment. The message for ecology and care of the planet is made clearly and simply by observing this magnificent animal.
The same message is not made by the enclosed whales at sea centers. Captivity is no life for any creature on land or sea.
It is hard to understand why Japan wants to resume whale hunting in the face of worldwide condemnation. Someone must really like whale meat and blubber sushi over there.
People take trips to see whales in their natural environment. The message for ecology and care of the planet is made clearly and simply by observing this magnificent animal.
The same message is not made by the enclosed whales at sea centers. Captivity is no life for any creature on land or sea.
It is hard to understand why Japan wants to resume whale hunting in the face of worldwide condemnation. Someone must really like whale meat and blubber sushi over there.
Whale Watching Gifts >>
Page Over
The keen-eyed observer will notice immediately that this page is finished. Like a train stopping at the station or a star going supernova - there is nothing more to be viewed.
But don't be downhearted. The sun will rise again tomorrow. Good chance that most of the planet will observe the same thing.
Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: February 9, 2026.