Three Months Old Photo Journal

On July 18th I left Thimphu for Bumthang to go farther east to Tobrang, Trashiyangtse to conduct a small study on the early stages of Ludlow's Bhutan Glory, more specifically on its pupa with Mr.Motohiro Harada, an expert on early stages of butterflies from the Butterfly Society of Japan.

The first day my travel from Thimphu to Bumthang was more or less only drive as it was drizzling all the way. And more so because i had to take control of the steering after lunch as Mr.Gyembo, an elderly man who was driving the Toyota Landcruiser Prado fell sick. Had a tough time steering its way through the dense fog of Dorji Goempa before Yotongla.

The next day was a perfect day for photographing butterflies with clear blue sky of Bumthang but as always the Chamkar Chu breeze kept the flowers swaying making it difficult for my already difficult monopod supported Canon macro lens. I treid my best and could get some little-out-of-focus pictures which I have posted for references in the future.

Chestnut Tiger (Parantica sita): With a wing span of 85-110mm, this butterfly is found in Bhutan, India (J&K to Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Myanmar, Afghanistan. The flight of this butterfly is strong, above tree canopy and slow dipplings at times. It is often seen visiting flowers from the month of April to December upto 3000m altitude. It is mimicked by Circe (Hestina nama) and can be mistaken as Chestnut Tiger to an untrained eye.

Indian Tortoiseshell (Aglais cashmireinsis): With a wing span of 55-65mm, this butterflies is the most commenest among Himalyan butterflies. Its distribution ranges from Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan. It can be seen throughout the year and loves sun as it can be seen basking in the sun with open wings. Its wide distribution can be noted from its sighting from the low grasslands to 5400m altitude.

Large Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae): With a wing span of about 65-75mm it is distributed within Bhutan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It loves open places and fringes of agricultural fields. Usually seen fluttering and visitng flowers. Found between 900-4000m altitude.

 

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui): With a wingspan 55-70mm, it is commonly found in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,  Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan & Afghanistan. It is swift flier and prefers open grassy land. It can be found from lowlands to 4500m altitude. It can be seen visiting over ripe fruits and flowers.