This wonderful present came my way while I was taking a walk through Satara Rest Camp on Christmas Day last year when we were visiting the Kruger National Park for our summer holiday. Looking this butterfly up in my guide book i thought “What a beautiful name for a beautiful butterfly!”
Protogoniomorpha (Salamis) anacardii
The Clouded Mother-of-Pearl is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of up to 7cm. They prefer dense habitats ranging from coastal and montane forests to riverine galleries, and in South Africa are found through coastal Kwazulu-Natal and into the Lowveld and escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Adults are seen throughout the year though their numbers reach a peak in late summer and early autumn. Their flight may seem ungainly but they’re exceptionally quick when troubled – this one gave me quite the walk-around through camp trying to take its picture. Clouded Mothers-of-Pearl love sitting exposed on prominent perches such as leaves and flowers, apparently basking in the sun – behaviour this one also displayed at least long enough so I could get a few photographs.
While visiting Cape Vidal in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in March 2022 we again encountered this beautiful butterfly, though this time a really tattered specimen.
DeWetsWild 
I thrill to butterfly beauty!
This one is indeed very special, Lulu
Nice! I have always been a butterfly girl!
Then this one would be a great “avatar” for you, Susie!
Yes!!!!
What s delight it is, Dries.
I was very grateful for my Christmas present, Tracy.
It was a good one.
That is beautiful!
I thought so too, Brian. Thank you!
Dit is regtig ‘n mooi skoenlapper!
Dis wat ek ook gedink het, Aletta. Ek was baie in my noppies met my kersgeskenk.
Ek sou ook wees! 😊
Dis nou ‘n mooi skoenlapper … met ‘n mooi naam!
Sê ek ôk mos!
I remain in awe of your butterfly photographs.
You are as kind as ever, Anne. Thank you.
I say drop the “clouded” part of that name. What a delicate beauty it possesses!
Calling it clouded is really unfair!
So lovely, just like its name. Great shots, Dries.
Thank you, Sylvia!
Even its name is a beautiful one!
Agreed Hien!