Common Red Flash @ DFNP

I finally got some good shots of the common red flash

today at DFNP. In fact, we had spent the whole afternoon

searching for butterflies out in the hot sun. It was only

when we were about to leave, I met Uncle Loke there.

... ... And that was when the red flash came down to play.

It was about 5pm, so he was also sunbathing. The

upperside of the male is a bright orange-red with a thick

black/brown border on the forewing. There is also

quite a lot of brown dusting on the basal area of the wings.

Red flashes fly at tremendous speeds, zooming around

in wide circles and finally landing on the same perch.

Males are also observed to "dogfight", in which two or

more males will chase each other. What a pity this one did

not open his wings fully.

The underside is a plain buff-grey with a dark post-

discal line edged with white that runs through both the

wings. It has a false head at the tip of the hindwing, with

an eyespot and some metallic blue scales below the eyespot.

The tails are also very flimsy, and wave around wildly

even in the slightest breeze. Uncle Loke and I had quite a

good time shooting this guy.

Here is Uncle Loke hard at work trying to get a decent

shot. It is easy to see him... ... but where is subject? you can

click on the image to enlarge it and try find the butterfly.

Well, I had a great day and I hope I will see him again,

real soon. :)