butterflies

The long awaited post of the monarch butterflies is finally here! We woke up very excited in the morning and headed out for the adventure to see the wintering grounds of the Monarch butterflies. This is a place Heather had heard of when she was in grade school and wanted at some time in her life to be able to see it. We had no clue of this until we moved down here and she found out it was close enough to us to visit!

It is estimated that every winter, some 100 million monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the U.S. to alight and often weigh down the branches of the pine and fir trees of the area, returning again and again to the same nesting spots. The monarch butterflies that emerge from chrysalides in late summer and early fall differ from the previous generations. These migrant butterflies appear the same but behave quite differently. They will not mate or lay eggs. They feed on nectar, and cluster together during the cool evenings to stay warm. Their only purpose is to prepare for and make the flight south successfully. Environmental factors trigger the migration. fewer hours of daylight, cooler temperatures, and diminishing food supplies tell the Monarchs it is time to move south. In March, the same butterflies that made the journey south will begin the return trip. the migrants fly to the southern US where they mate and lay eggs. Their decendants will continue the migration north . In the northernmost part of the Monarch's range, it may be the great grandchildren of the migrants that finish the trip.

Not being butterflies, we had to rely on the GPS, directions from the hotel owner, a map, and some signage to find out way to the parking lot of the butterfly sanctuary. This is a view of the land on our way. I was intrigued by the way they farmed all the way up the hillsides.

Along our ride we came across a man using his donkey to carry firewood up the road. He could either be going to a home or up the mountain to the foot of the sanctuary where there are many food and artisans booths.

From the parking lot up to the entrance of the sanctuary, the pathway is lined with these booths. Normally on a weekend they would be open selling anything from tacos& gorditas, embroidery pine straw crafts, and jewelry to chachkis and you name it is here and they are trying to get you to buy! Most were closed when we were there as it was only early Friday morning. Don't worry, that did not stop me from finding crafties on the way back to our car, 'nor Mark from sampling the goodies!

We arrived at the gate ready to go,camera on alert and legs ready to climb. We paid or entrance fee and fee for our 'guide'. At this point we had to decide to walk or ride horses up (you can't get all the way to the butterflies on them though) We chose to walk and were glad we did. You have to have a person walk with you. They really aren't a guide, they don't talk with you. they are only there to follow you and to probably keep you out of places you should not be.

As we climbed, and rested and climbed and rested a few butterflies started to be seen flitting around. These are feeding on a certain type of milkweed, which is why they come to this area. It is poisonous to other wildlife but not the Monarchs.


started to see butterflies everywhere as the sun came out from behind a cloud. The butterflies were on the pathway, on bushes and flying about. It was beautiful, but our guide motioned us to keep going. So we did.

We came to the edge of where we were allowed to hike and found this. The trees you see are all pin or fir trees. It appears as if the branches are brown and dying...oh peshaw! These are MILLIONS of butterflies resting on the branches and piled on top of each other. There are so many the weight brings the branch downward and can even break due to it!

The Monarchs that fly around will land on most anything or anyone. You can easily pick them up from the ground too

Heather is definately in her glory!

A quick group shot while waiting for the sun to appear again. When the sun is out and the air warms yup the butterlies start flying off the branches in a very orderly fashion so as to not snap the branch upward sending clumps of Monarchs off the branch at once. The next few pictures are of the butterflies flying around after leaving the branches. The branches were never empty as all the butterflies did not leave it. Looking back at the branches you could not tell any had left, the only sign was them flying around.

The pictures above and below show the branches loaded with Monarchs. I only wish the day did not have any clouds, but it was beautiful anyways!

The view skyward while the butterflies were in flight.

Make sure you click on the video and watch the Monarchs in flight. There was a distinct sound in the air listening to them fly. Heather's camera captured it better, and I will have her upload her video, please check back to watch it. Nature is truly amazing!