Hi Tweeters,

My wife and I went to Mexico for ten days at the end of
December. The highlight was a trip to Zitacuaro to visit one of the
Monarch Butterfly reserves. All of the Monarch Butterflies in the
eastern United States and eastern Canada migrate to eastern
Michoacan, a state which is west of Mexico City, to spend the winter.

It was an incredible experience! I have heard about trees being so
loaded with butterflies that the weight of the butterflies would
break a tree limb. The afternoon we were there the temperature was
quite warm so many of the butterflies were flying. The trees weren't
so loaded with butterflies but we could actually hear the beats of
their wings!

Our guide picked us up at the resort where we were staying and drove
us up to a small villiage at about 6500' elevation. We rented horses
from families in the village to ride to the butterfly reserve. Our
horses were attended by boys from the family that owned each
horse. This has become a source of income for the families in the
village. Nearly every family has a horse. They take turns renting
out their horses so that every family gets income from the
tourists. I think it has given them a greater appreciation for the
butterflies. The horse and the boy each cost 100 pecos, which is about $8.30.

We rode the horses on the steepest sections of the trail but also did
some hiking. We walked all of the way down and let the boys ride the
horses. We could only take the horses to 9000' and we had to hike up
the last 500' to where most of the butterflies were. We were
surprised at how many local people hiiked up to see the
butterflies. There were about 200, which even surprised the owner of
the resort. This reserve is one of the newest reserves to be
created. The reserves closer to town have hordes of people on the
trail on weekends.

We ate lunch at the highest point we could hike. Chris was thrilled
when butterflies landed on her. At one point there six on her shirt.

I have a new folder on my website with photos of the trip. I hope
you enjoy them.

It was an amazing experience. I can't think of any of my bird
watching experiences that rival it.

I did get a few opportunities for birding. Hopefully I will have
some time soon to get some photos posted, especially some of birds I
couldn't identify.

Denny Granstrand
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Denny Granstrand *
* Yakima, WA *
* dgranstrand at charter.net *
* Denny's bird photos can be seen online at: *
http://granstrand.net/gallery/