The Hypolimnas bolina, known as the Common Eggfly or Varied Eggfly Butterfly, is indeed a very common sight in gardens here. Although I have to admit that I've been seeing quite a few females lately and not many males!
The females are such lovely creatures, but there are literally two sides to them. No, I'm not talking personality ... I'm talking about the markedly different colours on the upper and undersides of the female's wings.
The upper sides of her wings are black with white spots and orange patches.
But the underside is decidedly brown with a whitish band crossing the wing and little white spots at the edges. I've often wondered about the reason for this.
I'm joining Mary for her Mosaic Monday meme.
Dear Bernie.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant close-ups. Lucky you, being able to get that close to a butterfly. What a beauty. Enjoyed your mosaic monday very much.
Have a lovely week.
Best regards Iris.
Thankfully, Iris, this one just sat there and posed for me. I usually have a hard time getting good shots of the butterflies around here as they're just so quick, and my old camera isn't fast enough. Today I got lucky.
DeleteI love butterflies and your photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
I'm was so glad to get these lovely clear shots, Kim. I usually take loads because most of the photos are terrible.
DeleteFabulous photos. She is a pretty girl.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. She's lovelier than the male to my eyes.
DeleteBernie, lovely captures of the butterflies.
ReplyDeleteI thought you would enjoy the shots, thanks Eileen.
DeleteHi Bernie, this is one beautiful butterfly. I have had this species around here in Brisbane as well - about 12 months ago I got a decent photo of one resting on a frangipani with wings fully extended. However the common crow butterfly is way, way more common. Do you know the basis of the common name? Butterflies are indeed a delight to have around our gardens
ReplyDeleteThese seem to be fairly common up and down the coast, Tom. As I said in my post though I don't see many males. I often wonder where they could be. As for the name, I have no idea how that works. We're so lucky to have butterflies flitting around all year round. The Common Grass is by far the most common sight here.
DeleteGreat Shots Bernie of a lovely butterfly. It's always nice when the butterflies sit and pose. They really are hard to capture most of the time.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Flowerlady, I just keep on shooting in the hope that I get a few good shots. Sometimes it works. I have to say though that I delete far, far more photos than I keep.
DeleteOoh, that first photo is a great capture! She is a beauty, from both sides....
ReplyDeleteYes I was lucky with that first shot, thanks Floridagirl. My old camera just can't keep up with the speed of the butterflies. I try to convince them to just sit still, but they don't listen.
DeleteBeautiful photos of th e butterflies. You must know your butterflies to be able to know what to look for when determining gender. I must be content to just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYael from Home Garden Diggers
Yael, ever since I began this blog I've been using the wonderful Google to do loads and loads of research. It's really opened my eyes to the wonders that are all around us. If you had asked me five years ago what this butterfly was, I wouldn't have known.
DeleteIts a beautiful butterfly. Maybe the duel colouring is some sore of camouflage. Valerie
ReplyDeleteYes, the dual colouring would certainly work as camouflage in some situations, Val. It's interesting colouring.
DeleteYou must be very quiet sneaking up to take the photo. I frighten them away when I try. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteThis one seemed a little drowsy and slow, Missy. I wondered if perhaps it was coming to the end of its short life and was just enjoying the time left! Sad thought.
DeleteWOW, Bernie!! These shots are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour blog never disappoints. I'm sorry I haven't been here in a little while (I've been blogging and commenting less due to the death of a close friend's young son). Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog :)
Hi again Bernie - regarding the name - according to http://www.butterflyplantsforpoverty.org/factsheets.htm - the patterns on the female vary - thus "varied eggfly" and the "egg" part refers to the moon or egg-shaped marking on the wings of the male. Sort of makes sense!
ReplyDeleteI think it is safer for butterflies to sometimes keep their light hidden. Beauty is often in the details, isn't it.
ReplyDelete