May 05 2008
Butterfly kings
I have just been visiting the Tugen Hills with Paula from WildlifeDirect at the invitation of a local conservationist, William Kimosop, who is working to link protected areas and community conservation in the area. It is a rugged and exciting part of the Great Rift Valley with dramatic plunging escarpments and steep forested mountains.
At the top of one of the hills we climbed, Morop (also spelled Marop), we encountered one of Africa’s most majestic creatures. It was a long hot steep climb in the hot bright sunshine through a mixture of dry highland forest and rocky bushland.
At the top of the hill, the vegetation is thin and sparse and the ground loose rocky scree. As we stopped to rest and catch our breath, a gust of wind blew up from the hot valley below. It brought a gift from the forest with it. Three gorgeous Regal Swallowtails, floated up from the forest canopy below.
The Regal Swallowtail, Papilio rex, is Kenya’s largest butterfly species. It is a striking butterfly with yellow-spotted wings and orange-cinnamon flashes at the bases of the wings. These three beauties were all males. Males of many different butterfly species frequently engage in a behaviour called ‘hill-topping’. They fly up to the tops of hills and circle around. They chase each other and are basically ‘checking out the competition’. And, of course, should any female wander by, they will actively court her.
The butterflies flew lazily about, gently tossed by the wind, half-heartedly chasing each other from the prime places in the
sunshine that they were enjoying. It was a lovely sight- dancing dabs of colour high, high above the hot, shimmering belly of the Great Rift
Valley…
More on the Tugen Hills (and the amazing and wonderful ways of cockroaches soon!) Thanks to everyone for your kind comments!