I observed these two Zabulon Skippers as they did their little courtship ritual. The female, on the right, would land and then flap her wings very rapidly. The male would fly around her in tight patterns, and would then land behind her and flap his wings back at her. This took place in the darkest part of my back yard, what I like to refer to as my "Nature Preserve," as it has been allowed to remain grown up and not mowed or improved in any way.

There have been at least 3 males jostling each other for dominance in this corner of my back yard for several weeks now. I only saw the first female I'd noticed in the same area the other day. This can only be good for the future population of Zabs in my back yard, and I'm greatly pleased. It's not some dark, smokey bar like we humans use to hook up with each other, but whatever does the trick.