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By Debbie Lander
mail@floridanewsline.com
Seeing millions of monarch butterflies fluttering around their winter nests in remote Mexico will be an incredible dreamlike experience, an adventure I will never forget.
Monarchs are one of the most recognizable butterflies. Interestingly, the location of the fragile insects remained a mystery until 1975. Explorers knew they went south to Texas and Mexico, but no one knew where. A program to name the King’s Wings led to the previously hidden abode.
Each fall, as the weather cools and the sun sets, monarch butterflies begin their 2,800-mile journey from eastern North America to their sanctuary in Mexico. The monarchs congregate in the volcanic Oyamel pine forests of central Mexico, not an easily accessible area.
The late summer migration generation of kings is known as Methuselah, after a biblical figure who lived for 987 years. These butterflies live five to eight times longer than their parents and grandparents. They develop flight muscles and store fat for the perilous journey to the high mountain habitat. They will not breed until next spring.
Mexico now protects these tiny creatures in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. From November to April, the reserve offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the royal world.
My trip with Craftours started in Mexico City and involved several hours of hiking on mountain roads at an altitude of about 7,000 feet.
As soon as I got to the sanctuary, I got on the horse and let him do the whistling and beat the incline. Very capable men lead the tethered horses up and down. An approximate 15-minute ride follows a path that leads to a canopy of oyamel trees that grow only at high altitudes. Then, the requisite temple guide will lead the way to the best viewpoints, possibly another 2,000-foot hike up.
Listen to the soft flapping of gossamer wings as thousands of butterflies search for nectar and water as the temperature nears 60 degrees at this altitude. The sight, a popcorn-like explosion, will make some cry. Others say they feel like they’ve stepped into a National Geographic documentary. I looked down the dirt road and saw shadows dancing like jumping polka dots. I looked up and marveled at the beauty of the mountains in the distance and the colorful swirls (as my grandson calls them).
If the temperature drops below 55 degrees or if the sky is cloudy or foggy, the butterflies gather together, one on top of the other, tightly closed wings look black. High up in the pine trees, the branches bend down in what looks like pendants, giant termite nests or swollen beehives. The butterflies, unlike one species, flinch and remain motionless at arrival or departure. The groups of butterflies covering the trunk of the tree look like rustling autumn leaves. The overall view is mysterious but a little disappointing compared to watching the confetti-like frolicking of monarchs on a hot day.
A strenuous climb and a guided tour allowed me and others to witness the magical sights of nature. Comments heard on the trail were “once in a lifetime, simply amazing, a wonderful miracle, being one with nature, and tiring but great.”
Now that I’m home, I’m eager to return for another hour in the swirling butterfly sky.
Craftours: https://craftours.com/tour/mexico-monarch/
To read more local travel writer Debbie Lander’s stories and travel tips, visit www.bylandersea.com.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Lander
Taking a hike to see the kings.
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