It was mid-October of 2012 and my mid semester exams were going on. I was at home, tired of studying for my zoology paper. I had just moved in to my new house in Jalahalli and I thought of exploring the surroundings on that fine afternoon. The apartment is situated amidst a thick canopy of beautiful native and exotic trees. There is a garden in the apartment complex with flowering plants that attract many pollinators, including butterflies.
I went downstairs with my little Sony Cybershot that I had at that time to “explore” the nature around me. I was, and still am, awestruck with the diversity of insects on this planet. This bewilderment of insect diversity enhanced my interests in them during this time. I had just started watching butterflies at that time and was more interested in what kind of species were available in and around my apartment complex. I saw some Common Rings, Lemon Pansies, Common Mormons and Grass Yellows. After spending about an hour and a half, I decided to head back home and start revising for my exam. But before going upstairs, I saw this lycaenidae (the "blues" family) fluttering high into the sky towards the apartment garden. I immediately thought it was a Common Cerulean. But as it was early days for me in this field, I thought it was best to follow it and identify once it settles down. Luckily for me, it settled down in the garden on a plant that was about 4 feet tall. I tried looking at its pattern but got totally confused and was not able to identify it on spot, as I had never seen it before. Thus, I decided to use the technology that I had in my hand at that time and take the help of the experts online. Soon after I took 2 shots, this beauty flew high up in the sky, never to be seen again. I went home and uploaded the picture on a butterfly page to seek its ID. I was exhausted after that and decided to have a short nap.
After an hour or so, I was awakened by continuous phone calls from my friend who also happens to be a butterfly enthusiast. When I picked up his call, I was still half asleep and he on the other hand was overly excited by what I had found. He continuously kept telling me, “Its a White Tipped Line Blue!” with so much joy and I on the other hand had to ask him what it was 4-5 times as I had never heard its name before. He also mentioned that it was a new record for the city of Bangalore which was both shocking and surprising for me. The Facebook page was full of the news that evening and I was so excited to read all the congratulatory comments on my post. It was a moment where a newcomer got big time lucky. And this was how I stumbled upon the great White Tipped Line Blue for the first time by anyone in Bangalore city. It was a moment of my butterfly watching days which is right at the top of the list.
PS: This species was again seen again the next day very close to my house and has been observed multiple times in different parts of the city by others.
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