Rice Paper and Blue Admiral Butterfly Photos

Today's photos came from a Butterfly House located in Naha Okinawa, Japan.

The Rice Paper Butterfly above I had photographed and researched before.  Also known as a Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe) it is the largest butterfly in Japan.

This little guy, I had seen before but never bothered to try and identify.

Chasing them around with a tripod and the Pentax K5 using natural light was fun.

These photos aren't what I'd enter in any sort of contest.

And they aren't something I would print and frame for sale.

Shots like this I use just for identification.

That MASTER OF DISGUISE: THE BLUE ADMIRAL that looks like a dead leaf sometimes,

is really this character when he's in the blue mode.

Locally, he is better known as the RYUKYU ASAGIMADARA

The scientific name of this species is Ideopsis similis but, go ahead and call it a Blue Admiral, if you like.  That's what I plan on doing from now on whenever I get a chance to speak english.

Master of Disguise: The Blue Admiral Butterfly of Japan (Photos)

These photos of a Blue Admiral (Kaniska canace) Butterfly were taken at a castle ruins in northern Okinawa, Japan.

The reason I call this guy a master of disguise is they show up and disappear like some kind of ninja.  You could easily mistake one for a falling leave.

When they land near the bark of a tree or on fallen leaves, you can't spot them.

Their camouflage works well in the in the forest where light and shadows can be tricky.

These Blue Admirals can be found in Japan, Korea, Russia, Sir Lanka, Indonesia, Burma and India according to WIKIPEDIA.

Today was the first time I ever saw one, to the best of my knowledge.  But, I could be mistaken.  See, the reason they call these master of disguise butterflies Blue Admirals is,  because they are really blue, sometimes, I guess.  Next time I go back up north,  I'll see if I can shoot a blue one for you.