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News from Mexico: Trip Report from Monarchs Across Georgia | |
Contributed
by Susan Meyers February 21-27, 2008 Dear Journey
North Kids, On February
26, 2008, a new group of 12 educators and enthusiasts visited El Rosario
sanctuary. The colony was located at the same elevation and coordinates
as the previous week but we noted some additional information. The Oyamels
on which the Monarchs were roosting were as tall as 120 feet, but clusters
were not seen above the height of 60 feet. Mating pairs, not observed
at this location last week, were occasionaly spotted. As identified by
our guide, butterflies were nectaring in sun-bathed patches of local wildflowers
known as Memelilla, Hojancha, Maratonia. Just before leaving the colony
about 5 PM, a cloud momentarily darkened the sky and we witnessed thousands
of Monarchs taking flight, moving upward on the slope. The trees changed
from green to gold-orange in front of our eyes! This is known as the "cloud
effect." A member of our group, 4th grader Ajay, chose one word to
describe his feeling after seeing the Monarch for the first time in Mexico
- "Amazement!" On February 27, 2008 we travelled to Macheros at the base of Cerro Pelon to bring more books and school supplies to the students. We were touched by the generosity of the entire community when they surprised us with letters written by the students and a special lunch prepared by the parents. Following our visit with the students, we mounted horses and ascended the "bald mountain" (as Cerro Pelon means in Spanish). The colony was located at the same elevation and coordinates as the previous week. We noticed that the Monarchs were roosting on the few Oyamel trees in the area and were also utilizing pines and broadleaf trees. There were increased numbers of mating pairs observed this week as compared to last.
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Susan Meyers at Cerro Pelon |
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