Melanitis leda, the common evening brown is a common species of butterfly found flying at dusk.

I found this one while out for my walk late evening, after dinner. Apparently, the flight of this species is erratic, but when I saw it, it was sitting placidly on the wall, loathe to move even when I went up close. Perhaps it was too full and lazy to fly away, or having settled in for the night was too sleepy to.

Hmm… it could also be that it knew I was an okay human who wouldn’t harm it.

Oh wait… it could be that it knew who I was and that its picture would make it to Shail’s Nest. Well, butterflies can also want some attention, don’t you think? 😉

©️ Shail Mohan 2026