First Skipper Species of the Year

Tried a new location for wildflowers (mid-elevation meadow [first photo below]) the other day and got a bonus...Common Branded Skipper (Hesperia comma). Skippers in the Hesperia genus look very similar and much of identification criteria revolve around the white chevrons (size, shape and location) on the underwing. This butterfly was not nectaring on any of the wildflowers present (photos below); simply perched on bare soil of trail. Bunchgrasses are the primary food source for larvae; definitely appropriate habitat for them here.

Habitat

Common Branded Skipper

Cushion Buckwheat

Silvery Groundsel

Found a second Skipper species, Long Dash (Polites mystic), nectaring on Lavendar at the Pollinator Garden of Lee Metcalf NWR. This species is also partial to grass, however it is on the wet/moist side of the spectrum. World of wildlife is waiting for your discovery...go outside and find some.

Long Dash

Great Wildlife Yard Planting...'Rotkugel'

The previous owner of our current home planted an Ornamental Oregano cultivar 'Rotkugel' that I ignored for several years...until I noted a Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba) using it a couple of years ago, that got my attention. It is a pollinator magnet! Bees dominate, but butterflies also frequent in lesser numbers. Wood-Nymphs and Skippers are the main customers. Check it out:

Here are some still shots of recent Skipper sightings:

Branded Skipper 'Complex' (Hesperia sp.)

Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides)

Butterfly species for Life List

While "dragonflying" (goal-get quality photos of a Spotted Spreadwing) at the Florence Bridge Fishing Access Site, happened upon a butterfly nectaring on Spotted Knapweed:

Reviewed butterfly field guides by Kaufmann (Field Guide to Butterflies of North America) and Glassberg (Butterflies Through Binoculars) for concrete identification. Turns out there is much variability in appearance for this species, the Woodland Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanoides). The yellow/creamy spots on this individual are on the light side. Kaufmann states: "the most common orange skipper of many habitats late in the season." I was delighted to find this small, colorful butterfly (a lifer!) as many fewer lepids are being found of late. Serendipitous discovery for sure...likened to an axiom from Seneca: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."