Pearl Emperor Butterfly
Insects use nature to their advantage, let's take a look at the pearl emperor butterfly sitting on thorny bark of the Natal Plumb/Num-num berry plant, at first glance one would easily pass off as a yellowing leaf being ever-green losing the odd leaf throughout the year.
As the butterfly had just landed, with wings still in motion, the white/cream inner showing was enough to give the name game away! This is not a dead leaf but a living insect journeying through, needing to rest up for a minute from it's busy day.
Once the wings close up the butterfly is brilliantly camouflaged appearing like a dying leaf on the limb of the tree.
Next photograph in bottom left corner one can see the aging leaf close to the butterfly, yes the thorns on this bush does add some charm.
Apparently this handsome specimen does fly high and fast, seldom landing, must have been my lucky day.
"Charaxes varanes, the pearl emperor, Karkloof emperor, or pearl charaxes, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, found in Africa from Saudi Arabia to South Africa. The wingspan is 65–70 mm in males and 70–90 mm in females. Its flight period is year round. Larvae feed on Allophylus species and Cardiospermum halicacabum." Source
I took as many angles with change of colour display in bright sunshine, a lovely sighting to enjoy during the day. Have a happy day outdoors with butterflies, birds and bees keeping you company.
All photography is my own, any queries or requests please drop a comment below, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod go with the flow wherever life takes you.
Thought for Today: "A butterfly thinks itself a bird because it can fly." - African Proverb
Places to Enjoy On Hive: #powerhousecreatives hive-114105, #qurator hive-102880, #featheredfriends 
!pinmapple -30.0836005 lat 30.8678566 long Sapphire Coast South Africa D3SCR