Dragonflies through Binoculars

Sidney W. Dunkle

This new publication will make learning to identify dragonflies much more accessible for all of us! Like most birding guides, Dragonflies through Binoculars is organized taxonomically. Unlike birds, there is not a big difference between the different groups (hawks are a lot easier to distinguish from hummingbirds, than say Clubtails from Petaltails). Not to worry, the book includes only seven families of Dragonflies. Given the information in Dunkle’s book, it won’t be long before you are familiar with the dragonfly families and new vocabulary. It may even give you the opportunity to cherish our hot, sunny, summer days, as that is when these beauties are active. The color plates are accompanied by a range map, short description, and the page number where more information on each species is found. The species accounts include a description of each family (how do you know if it’s a Darner or a Cruiser?), identification, body features, similar species, habitat, season and comments. Dragonflies through Binoculars also includes a great introduction to the sport/hobby of dragonfly viewing, along with good information on the basics of their natural history. The index includes boxes to check by the common name of each dragonfly, enabling readers to keep a check list of the dragonflies they’ve seen.

Paperback, 266 pages, 47 full color plates.