Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Miracle of the Monarchs





We returned last night from our expedition to Michoacan to visit the Monarch butterfly sanctuary. The weather was splendid, and the warm sun warmed the hundreds of thousands of butterflies to leave their tree branches where they spend the night and colder days. As we approached the 9000 foot sanctuary on horseback, the Monarchs became thicker and thicker in the air, filling the sky and alighting on branches, even sometimes on us. It was a spectacle like no other. Here are photos which show the monarchs clinging to the trees and filling the sky:


The story of the monarch migration is an astounding story, and one of nature's unexplained miracles. It had been known for years that Monarch butterflies from the Northeastern US and Canada migrated south for the winter. They had been tagged and traced as far as Texas, but their final destination had never been discovered. Finally in 1975, with help from Mexican loggers who had witnessed the migration, scientists found the unique 60 square mile area in the mountains of the State of Michoacan, Mexico, where the Monarchs make their winter home. Since that time, people from all over the world have been making pilgrimages to Mexico to see the Monarchs in Michoacan. Today, there are six separate sanctuaries where the butterflies are protected. Some of these sanctuaries are at risk because of illegal logging in the area, which is causing erosion and damaging the natural habitat.
The story of how the Monarchs get to Mexico is even more remarkable. The generation of Monarchs which makes the journey south are born in September throughout the Northeastern US and Canada. They begin their journey south in September and arrive in Central Mexico by late October or early November. These fragile insects, weighing about a half a gram, fly alone or with just a few others, sometimes crossing the Great Lakes, and braving wind and rain, flying between 50 and 150 kilometers a day, apparently. No one can explain how they all know where to go, high in the mountains of a small area in Mexico, where the temperature and humidity are perfect for their winter survival. They go into a form of hibernation, clinging to the trees, as their body temperature drops and they conserve fat for the spring. Beginning in February and March, the sun warms and they become more active, gathering nectar and moisture during the day, returning to their tree protection at night. In mid March, they mate, and begin their long flight north. This generation, which has survived the trip down to Mexico and has wintered over, lay their eggs in Texas or Arkansa, and die around May 15. Subsequent generations only live for four or five weeks, so it takes as many as four generations to make it back to the Northeast and Canada by August. Then, in September, the generation which will live for eight months and migrate south, is born again.

No one can explain how the Monarchs know where to go. After all, they were born in Canada, Maine, Pennsylvania or some other northeast area, and have never been to Mexico. But they know how to get there, and do every year, despite incredible odds. This map reproduced from Google Images shows the Monarch migration pattern. Notice that most of the western Monarchs winter over in California.


As far as our trip went, we stayed at a beautiful lodge in Zitacauaro, Michoacan, which does a lot of business this time of year when the Monarch sanctuaries are active. We met interesting people from Switzerland, Australia, Montana, and Wisconsin who had traveled to Mexico to see this phenomenon. The owners of the lodge, a couple from Yugoslavia and France, hired a guide to take us to an unspoiled, non-touristed sanctuary by horseback. Since I had not ridden a horse for 45 years, I was a bit leery of this, as was Pixie. But these horses were experienced with walking up mountain trails. We were able to stop for a picnic lunch in a sunny clearing, as hundreds of monarchs flitted around us. Once we got to the heart of the sanctuary, we could see literally hundreds of thousands of the butterflies clinging to trees and flying. The sound of thousands of butterfly wings flapping is similar to that of a light steady rain. We had to be silent and stay behind the roped off area. We stayed there for over an hour, just marveling at the spectacle. Here are more photos:









































Here are some photos of the lodge where we stayed, and Pixie and I with Jeanne and Paul at breakfast.

















And so,we have returned from our little adventure, perhaps a bit sore from riding horseback but happy to have seen this miracle of nature. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe we are all on our own spiritual journey, and we often take our spiritual meaning from nature itself, as did the Transcendentalists like Emerson and Thoreau. This was a spiritual experience, unexplainable by our science. How these creatures manage manage so predictably to winter in this small area of central Mexico is a mystery, but one which we have been fortunate enough to share with them for a brief moment.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I would like to subscribe for this web site
to take hottest updates, thus where can i do it please assist.
Also visit my web-site ... Http://Herdit.Net/Online-Cash-Loan-Instant-Cash-Bridging-The-Financial-Gap.Htm

Anonymous said...

Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
my site :: CashLoan

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure exactly why but this blog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I'll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
My web-site :: sl.nmc.org

Anonymous said...

Pretty section of content. I simply stumbled upon your site
and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed
account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing
for your augment and even I fulfillment you get right of entry to persistently rapidly.
Here is my blog : same day loan 118

Anonymous said...

I have been surfing on-line more than three hours today, yet I
never discovered any attention-grabbing article like
yours. It is lovely worth sufficient for me.
In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content
material as you did, the web might be a lot more helpful than ever before.
My webpage ; FastLoan1080

Anonymous said...

For hottest information you have to pay a quick visit the web and on world-wide-web
I found this website as a finest web site for hottest updates.
Feel free to surf my homepage ; www.universo73.com.br

Anonymous said...

I pay a quick visit everyday a few blogs and sites to read articles, however this webpage offers feature based content.
Also visit my homepage : quickloans

Anonymous said...

Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clarity
in your post is just cool and i could assume you're an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
My homepage short term loan

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I'm going through a few of these issues as well..
Also visit my site sopecal.com

Anonymous said...

Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
Here is my page Fast Payday Loans 360

Anonymous said...

Does your website have a contact page? I'm having problems locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an
e-mail. I've got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
Visit my web blog : quickcashloans555

Anonymous said...

It's an remarkable post for all the online people; they will take benefit from it I am sure.
Also see my web page > mediahood.net

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was searching for, what a stuff! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web page.

Also visit my page - www.puppyfamily.com

Anonymous said...

I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I'm assuming having a blog like
yours would cost a pretty penny? I'm not very web smart so I'm not 100% positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Stop by my blog post - buy twitter followers 15000

Anonymous said...

Please let me know if you're looking for a writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd absolutely love to write some content for your blog in exchange for
a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if
interested. Thank you!

Here is my website; forotic.mcti.gob.ve

Anonymous said...

It's not my first time to visit this web site, i am browsing this web site dailly and take good information from here everyday.

My web site: Replica Watches

Anonymous said...

Hi I am so delighted I found your blog page,
I really found you by accident, while I was looking on
Yahoo for something else, Regardless I am here now
and would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included
your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
to read more, Please do keep up the superb work.


Feel free to visit my blog ... Replica Watches

Anonymous said...

Hello there! This blog post couldn't be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

Stop by my web page :: トリーバーチ

Anonymous said...

Hi, this weekend is good in support of me, for the reason that this time i am reading this great educational piece of writing here
at my home.

Stop by my site ... chloe 財布

Anonymous said...

I visited many sites but the audio quality for audio songs existing at this site is really fabulous.


Here is my web site; ミュウミュウ

Anonymous said...

Hi this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use
WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also visit my web site COACH コーチ

Anonymous said...

whoah this blog is excellent i like reading your articles.
Stay up the great work! You understand,
many people are searching around for this information,
you could help them greatly.

Also visit my blog post; http://www.cuidatufuturo.cl/estudiantes/pregunta/no-charge-poker-tory-burch-outlet-chips

Anonymous said...

Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading
it, you can be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog
and will come back down the road. I want to encourage
continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!


my web site jedheads.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, incredible blog structure! How lengthy have you been running
a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy.

The entire look of your web site is great, as smartly
as the content!

My website; トリーバーチ

Anonymous said...

Hi, everything is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing
facts, that's in fact good, keep up writing.

My blog post ミュウミュウ 店舗

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was searching for, what a data! present here at this blog, thanks admin of this web page.

Also visit my blog cheap christian louboutin

Anonymous said...

I hardly write remarks, however I browsed a few of
the remarks on "The Miracle of the Monarchs". I actually do have a few questions
for you if it's okay. Is it only me or does it look as if like some of the remarks appear like they are coming from brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are posting on other sites, I'd like to follow anything fresh you have to post.
Would you post a list of all of your shared sites like your Facebook page,
twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

Feel free to visit my webpage - christian louboutin shoes

Anonymous said...

What's up all, here every one is sharing these experience, thus it's good to read this website, and I used to pay
a quick visit this webpage every day.

Feel free to surf to my web page - monster beats

Anonymous said...

Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There's a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

Feel free to surf to my blog - Replica Rolex Watches

Anonymous said...

For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no doubt very
quickly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.


Here is my web page: Replica Watches

Anonymous said...

obviously like your website however you need to take a look at
the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I
to find it very troublesome to tell the reality then again I'll surely come back again.

Feel free to visit my homepage; Replica Rolex Watches

Anonymous said...

What's up to every body, it's my first pay
a visit of this blog; this website includes remarkable and actually good data for visitors.


Also visit my web blog :: Replica Watches

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I know this is kind of off-topic however I needed
to ask. Does running a well-established website such as yours take a large
amount of work? I'm completely new to writing a blog however I do write in my journal everyday. I'd like
to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for new
aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

My weblog :: Replica Rolex Watches

Anonymous said...

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.

It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

my web page :: garage rubber flooring

Anonymous said...

Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article!
It is the little changes which will make the most significant changes.
Thanks for sharing!

My site; winning eleven pro evolution soccer 2007

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its fastidious conversation regarding this paragraph here
at this
web site, I have read all
that, so at this time me also commenting here.

Here is my site; medical alarm systems

Anonymous said...

You have made some really good points there. I looked on the net for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.



My page Very bad Credit Mortgage

Anonymous said...

It's the best time to make some plans for the future and it's
time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
Maybe you could write next articles referring
to this article. I desire to read even more things
about it!

Look into my webpage dating sites over 50

Anonymous said...

Hola! I've been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you
a shout out from Lubbock Texas!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic
work!

Take a look at my web page: american funds

yanmaneee said...

kyrie 5 shoes
yeezy boost 350 v2
nike air force
stephen curry shoes
nhl jerseys
adidas ultra
kyrie shoes
yeezy
longchamp handbags
golden goose