An Encounter with Blue Pansy Butterflies in Al Jadaf, Dubai

Striking and captivating in blue among the green leaves

When it folds its wings it reveals a light chocolate brown undersurface

A loving butterfly couple having a delightful time

My hand serving as a butterfly couples "love nest"

The morning breeze was strong and cool as I was doing site visits at project sites at the newly emerging commercial and residential facilities at the Al Jadaf, Dubai. Emerging from the carefully manicured landscape gardens, along the community pathways, were these strikingly beautiful shiny blue butterflies called the Blue Pansy. With the lush green leaves and deep red floral as their background, the mating pairs of these butterflies were flying and moving together in their mating dance having a delightful time. There were also the loners, individual butterflies with their wings folded revealing the light chocolate brown wings undersurface as they quietly feed on nectar on the splurge of beautiful flowers in bloom.

This was indeed a pleasant working day surprise. I did not have to trek to the mountains and wadis, explore desert grasslands and be in my hiking boots and gear to observe awesome creatures. I just have to pay attention to the awesome creatures just fluttering around the gardens of the busy streets of Dubai.

BLUE PANSY BUTTERFLY (Junonia orithya, LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) 

These vibrant, sun-loving butterflies have a wing span of 2--3 inches (40-55mm). The males have a jet black wing base with a striking metallic blue hind wings with that distinct yellow-orange eyespots (ocelli) and also a dark brown pattern forewings. The females are a little duller in color, with lighter blue, with reddish markings on the forewings and light brown undersides. 

The weather in the UAE is getting cooler again, expecting more awesome encounters with more awesome creatures outdoors!   

Awesome creatures! AWESOME CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

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