It's a skipper, and could be one of so many different kinds. A pic of the hindwing below would be helpful. The small skippers can be had because of variations in coloring.

Here's a link to scroll down to see if you can match it if you were able to see beneath the hindwing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Skippers

My first and second choices are the Tawny-Edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) and the Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes). I'd need to see the underside to be sure.

Google for images of those (Latin names sometimes give better results) and see whether they look right.

Jeff

Thanks for the help and advice. Any hints for getting pictures of the undersides? I tend to find these little guys just laze around, taking in the sights until suddenly, whoosh and they're gone.

My choice is Tawny-Edged Skipper. I took a picture of one yesterday that looks very similar to yours.

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I know what you mean about getting good pictures. My goal is to get one really good underside shot of a Mulberry Wing next summer. They land with wings together and then in about 2-3 seconds relax into the jet-plane position. That leaves no time to focus and fire...

So patience is pretty much the only answer: catching one at the right time. Certain nectar plants (like Buddleia above, or milkweeds) act somewhat like mild intoxicants and can help you to get close enough for a good pic.

Jeff

Jeff;
Just curious, where do you see Mulberry wings? Are they common? They are few and far between in Ohio. There is one reliable spot that Ohio Lepidopterists had a field trip this summer to. So, I got to see them. Of course, I was like, "sure that's a mulberry wing, if you say so".
-Elisabeth

I only know of two locales in Carroll Co MD (but I'm sure there are more) that have Mulberry Wings Poanes massasoit. They are bog skippers that are basically dark mulberry red-brown above and have a characteristic "cross" on the hingwing below. There are subspecies classed according to the size and shape of that mark.

Jeff

Here is a link that might be useful: Species Desription of Mulberry Wing