Leonard's Skipper (Hesperia leonardus leonardus)

In NC, Leonard's Skippers are uncommon to rare in the piedmont and mountain provinces. This dapper skipper is single-brooded, flying in late Sep/Oct (earlier in the mountains), and is usually found nectaring on purple asters and blazing stars.

These bugs are some of the most skittish and flighty skippers I've ever tried to photograph. It took hours of following them around to get these photos!

Chatham Co., NC 26 September 2004	Male Chatham Co., NC 26 September 2004

		Ron Gatrelle correctly pointed out that this individual's forewing has gotten outside of the hindwing, offering an unusual full view of the underforewing.
Male Chatham Co., NC 26 September 2004	Male Chatham Co., NC 26 September 2004

Female Chatham Co., NC 20 October 2005	Female Chatham Co., NC 20 October 2005

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Created on ... September 26, 2004 | Updated on ... October 21, 2005 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com