Monarch Country

(There are many videos in this posting….. if you get email notification, please click on the words “Read on blog” or “Reader” in the upper right-hand corner so that you can see the dazzling moving pictures……)

The butterfly sanctuaries are in the mountains about 100 miles west and a little north of Mexico City. The small former mining town of Angangueo is the prime jumping-off point for treks to see the pretty pollinators and reminders are all over town:

Our group of 15 completely took over this charming hotel, with its equally colorful resident parakeet…..

Getting to the monarch nesting sites is not a quick trip. First you take an open 4-wheel-drive truck from the town to the entrance to the sanctuary, at about 10,000 feet in elevation.

From there, you cover the next 1,000 feet of elevation, first on horseback…

And then on foot (which can be a little challenging for those of us who live at sea level!)

Conditions were less than spectacular on our first foray….. it was cold and cloudy, followed later by sleet!

We were not quite prepared for our first sightings of butterflies to be of those who hadn’t survived…..

In these weather conditions, the Monarch roosts just look like clusters of leaves…..

A few broke loose and came to rest on human passers-by.

Unfortunately, adverse conditions brought an early end to Days 1 and 2.

The morning of Day 3, however, was a revelation….sunny and dry and thrilling for all of us, watching as the Monarchs emerged to enjoy the warmth and to get a drink of water.

Friends, we have literally hours of this material if you need more……

Just a few fun facts about the Monarch butterflies…..

— Although mankind has been aware for years of the annual migration from Canada to the southern part of North America, it was only in 1975 that intrepid wildlife scientists found the Monarch winter nesting sites near Angangueo….since then, ecotourism has grown, and local communities are actively involved in caring for and sustaining the environment that is so critical to their continued existence.

— The life span of a Monarch butterfly is typically 2 to 6 weeks; however, the generation that is born in Canada in August each year will live for 7 to 9 months in order to make the migration south to Mexico and reproduce for the good of the species.

— Collective nouns for a group of butterflies can include “flutter” and “kaleidoscope”. How apt!

A couple of closing photos just for fun…. A beautiful view of the mountains, and an irresistibly-gorgeous young rooster with attitude.

After several days following the butterflies, we return to Mexico City for a few more days via the town of Toluca. Thanks to the World Wildlife Fund and its travel partner, Natural Habitat, for a spectacular experience. More later!