Chocolate Soldier warms up!

The chocolate pansy or chocolate soldier warming up at the early hours of sunlight, at SereneWoods woodhouse, Thandikudi.

I had any photos on a butterfly before, because they never posed to be easily or I unable to chase them to shoot away. I remember capture a butterfly earlier but it was a lifeless one hit by a rotating fan. I was really glad capture this chocolate soldier butterfly when it came sitting, spotting the sunny area and basking the wings in the morning sunlight on the woodhouse ramp. This is my first butterfly shot with more detail, thanks to its tendency to exist close to the ground level and I’m surprised to learn the common butterfly is attracted to sunlight and is often bask in the sun.

The chocolate soldier is mainly found in degraded and disturbed habitats including palm plantation, small clearings and along roadsides and riverbanks at elevations between sea level and at least 1200 meters.  When the butterfly sits on the ground it might easily mistake for a small dry leaf! With a wingspan of about 5-6cm both sexes of this species is very similar in appearance, but the females have slightly broader and rounded wings. The butterfly is found commonly from Sri Lanka and India to China, through Malaysia to Bali and the lesser Sunda isles. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS