Zabulon Skippers

Yesterday and today I recorded my first Zabulon Skippers of the year. They have probably been out a little longer than that, but these were the first that landed long enough for me to get a good look (and photographs!). The photo above is from Donaldson Park; the one below is from the Rutgers Ecological Preserve. Zabulon Skippers (Poanes zabulon) are very common in central New Jersey and fly throughout the summer. To me it seems like the most common skipper in the area, but I am not sure if statistics bear that out. Either way it is a good skipper to learn to recognize.