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This is the famous Charaxes Brutus (White-barred Emperor), but the butterfly collectors are not going to get this one!
First of all I have to apologize for posting at different times, as we have to dodge the forced electricity shutdowns called "Loadshedding" here in South Africa. Years of neglected maintenance and corruption is now taking it's toll, as our entire electrical feed countrywide cannot maintain optimum performance.
So each city and town is switched off periodically at different times of the day and night.
But enough of that...come and have a look at this rare "Old World" butterfly!
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I saw her land and any drastic movement by me would have scared her away!
Of course the excitement built within me, as I had an idea that this was not an ordinary butterfly.
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So, coolly and calmly I shuffled my way imperceptibly closer!
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"Charaxes brutus, the white-barred emperor or white-barred Charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in Africa. Average wingspan is 60–75 mm in males and 75–90 mm in females. Flight period is year-round"
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Google tells me that this is a most sought after butterfly and they have only recently started to appear in our area of the Western Cape province.
I remember posting about a Charaxes last year, but I could only get photos from underneath and not sideways like this!
This should be the male and I have not seen one, but the photo above was also linked to the Charaxes and I can only presume that it is the male.
"Charaxes frequent sunny forest openings and glades where they rest with open or partly open wings sunning themselves. When alerted, they close the wings exposing the cryptic underside. Certain favoured perches are selected and intruders are chased and driven off, Charaxes feed in part at oozes from tree wounds infested with beetle or other larvae and on rotting fruit (they come to hanging traps baited with fermenting banana). They lay their eggs on small understorey or marginal trees. Tender shoots are usually selected for egg laying but as the larvae grow they move to older leaves. Larvae rest on the upper surface of a leaf on which they have spun a protecting silk pad".
So while I am gently and silently taking photos of the butterfly, there was a beautiful and familiar song that I heard in a tree behind me. Oh yes, it was the male Red-collared Sunbird!
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A real treasure with beautiful metallic colors.
Note: All photos marked (Zac Smith) are my own except for the Charaxes male photo and it was duly cited.
The Charaxes information sections in abbreviated commas ('') was also source cited!
I cannot make this post any longer as per my usual style due to time constraints before the next scheduled power cut, but I hope that I have placed enough information here about this rare butterfly.
Only the second time that I have seen one in my life and that's a sure indication about their rarity.
The droughts and weather changes are forcing them to relocate from their normally isolated areas into the towns and it is such a pleasure to see them.
Now to put some fruit out for this one and hope that it will become a frequent visitor.
Ps! I might have a secret up my sleeve, as I think that I found a hidden pupae of a Charaxes.
Let's wait and see what comes out!
We hope that you have enjoyed the photos and thank you for visiting a post by @papilloncharity
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How exciting and what a beautiful butterfly1 Hopefully those will be pupae of a Charaxes!
Thank you my dear.
The Charaxes was indeed a very pleasant surprise.
I also hope that it is a Charaxes.
We are keeping an eye on it and I will post as soon as I know what it is.
Blessings!
Well done on photography of both butterfly and bird, both beautiful beyond words. How lucky you have been today, a tad hot but well worthwhile enjoying the outdoors early mornings and late afternoons Stephen.
Greetings to you my fear friend and thank you for the kind Valentine's card!
I as usual didn't know how to send one back, but I made a post yesterday of a "Double Hibiscus" also for you!
Glad that you liked the post here and these power cuts are slowly driving us crazy.
No fans can work if there is no power and to sit outside is like sitting in an oven. Early mornings and late afternoons are indeed the best.
Blessings!
Oven baked sounds about right, the Valentines card thingy was just a bit of extra fun to be had, glad you enjoy it.
Just teasing you a bit my dear friend, no stress intended Lol.
Blessings!
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Such beautiful shots the butterfly is beautiful, but wow the colors of that bird amazing
Ha! I love that little sunbird JJ and they have obviously returned to nest again. I just wish I knew where they go when they are not nesting here.
Blessings!
Would be good to know where they go but at least they are back :)
Beautiful shots! Seems like your garden is a paradise since it attracts al these beauties!
Thank you and yes, we have moved in here about 6 months ago and we plan to plant more indigenous shrubs to really bring all kinds of life to the place.
But of course it takes time and money, so it will be done gradually.
Blessings!
Wonderful photos of two of your South African beauties! Thanks for sharing these with #featheredfriends! !Tip
Thank you my dear friend.
Glad that you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind tip!
Blessings!
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Wonderful shots ! ❤️
Thank you for the kind visit my friend.
Glad that you liked the post!
Blessings!
Thank you for the kind
Visit my friend. Glad that you
Liked the post! Blessings!
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Thank you for the kind honor here and I am indeed proud to be a member of this mover and shaker PHC family.
Blessings!
If I were a Craftsman, I would love to weave a fabric with that design. Say, a caftan would fit in well with such beautiful color! The bird too, I haven't seen such lovely colors!
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Oh, I think that it would make a fabulous fabric my friend.
What a great idea as you would be the only one to have a Charaxes caftan Lol
That little bird was born here and he has now returned to start his own family.
Blessings and thank you!
Good posts
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Thank you!
These are totally gorgeous sir papilloncharity! I love those Sunbirds too!
Thank you kindly Sir @janton and glad that you liked the shots.
Blessings!
Thank you my friend!
Blessings!