Common Dragonflies of California: A Beginner's Pocket Guide

As a beginner in the study of these fascinating and beautiful creatures, I found this book clear, concise, and easy to understand and use. The text is simple and complete, and the illustrations are excellent. The small size of the volume makes it fit easily into your pocket for quick reference. Anyone interested in dragonflies will find the book an absolute MUST!

This is really nice field guide to have. The photographs are great. Each entry is succint and includes one or two photographs together with a bold line the length of the dragonfly and printed in one of the dominant colors of the dragonfly. There is a checklist in the back so that you can keep track of what you see, and the introductory information in the front of the book is well-written. Though I bought this book for myself, I think that it also would make a great field guide for a child since the book is small, easy to use, and the photos are clear and attractive. It is well worth the price.

An awesome book! Easy to use with great photos. You'll never view dragonflies the same again. At this price point it makes for an awesome gift...especially for all those kids you're trying to get turned on to nature instead of video games. After all - let's face it - dragonflies are way cooler than birding and all that other boring "outdoorsie" kinda stuff! (well at least according to kids who think birding is boring)I highly recommend it. Now if we can just get her to do guides for some of the other states.....

I thought it would be tough to ID Dragonflies but with this book it has been suprisingly easy. Now if they would just hold still for the binculars!

We have a pond in our yard, and this book has given us the opportunity to identify those beautiful visitors that we have been looking at! The pictures are clear, and the descriptions are very helpful when it comes to looking for markings that help distinguish between two similar species. There is a handy glossary at the back where one can find the meanings of any technical words. This is a put-it-in-your-pocket-when-you-go-hiking kind of book. It is presented at a level that is clear for adults or those budding naturalists you might have running around....So happy to have it in my natural history collection!