For butterflies, there are several good field guides for the United States and California.  For the most part, though, these guides have been produced by scientists who collect butterflies and who design their books to be used by others interested in collecting.  There are a growing number of persons who are interested in identifying butterflies but do not want to kill them or even catch them in a net.  With so many close-focusing binoculars (6-9 feet) available today, this is very easy to do.  Of course, one can watch butterflies with the unaided eye, but to get close you have to move very slowly.

One problem with current guides is that they often don't show the patterns on both the Under Wing and the Upper Wing, something that is very necessary when all you have is a glimpse of just one side of the butterfly in the field.  Also, these guides are rather overwhelming to beginners, with many look-alike species that do not occur in their local area.

As you gain experience, you will find butterfly species that are not included in this book.  But by becoming familiar with the common species, you will perhaps be motivated to obtain other guides, mentioned in the bibliography.