Back to butterflies

I feel the leathargy creeping over me. This happens all the time when I try my hand at something new. Does anyone have a can of spinach to spare? :D

And my folks are like..."there goes the new hobby"... ;)

Fortunately these enthusiastic butterflies were practically rubbing on me insisting to be taken a pic of. And I had to get out of my cozy coccoon of lazyness, dust up my disappointed cam and capture the pretty volunteers.

This one is called the Chocolate Soldier (Junonia iphita)a common resident butterfly. It was basking in the early morning sun which is meant to regulate its body temperature. It looks a bit like a dried leaf when wings are held together. This particular fellow was thoroughly enjoying its sun bath and did not allow me that view.

It's not only the winged beauties that were catching the eye...

Araliya (Plumeria spp.) is a common tropical flower seen in a number of shades and sometimes even in bicolour. White is the commonest (my fav) and usually represents purity, innocence and simplicity on Sri Lankan literature.

And then I find this one adamently clasping its wings together like a celebrity hiding from the much dreaded media. My guess is it is a Grey Pansy (Junonia atlites) trying to minimise the absorption of heat as the sun was quite high in the sky when this was taken. Being "cold blooded" they are highly dependant on the environment to regulate the body heat. If you look carefully, you will notice that it has adopted a position that has the least effect from the sun.

I will be gone for a while ....hoping to be back as soon as things permit.. : )