Just putzing around the yard today, not finding much to photograph. New blooms amounted to some Bird’s Foot Violets (Viola pedata)
and a lonesome Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea) that was so pale as to be nearly white.
The puddles at the back of the house had a few sipping skippers and I managed to photo and identify two different species. The first was a Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo)
and the other was a Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis.)
Both are common to abundant spring skippers in Missouri and both like to congregate at puddles. Missouri has close to 60 species of skipper and f you’ve never tried identifying a one before, you should give it a try. Unless you’re working with one of the few obvious species, you’re probably going to have a headache before you finish.