March 13, 2012
Dear friends:
Today I went to a point northwest of Angangueo, where I saw monarch passing by the hundreds on the beginning of journey north. Some children had told me Monarchs would be flying over this area, and invited me to come see.
I was not disappointed! Butterflies were coming downhill from El Rosario and flying northwest. They were streaming down the canyon in a small but beautiful cascade. The canyon provides plenty of nectar and water. From this point, the butterflies continue heading northwards, coming your way!
I saw many monarchs nectaring at the Senesios. Families in these areas usually wait for Monarchs to leave our region definitively before they cut back their Senesios and other flowering plants where Monarchs nectar every season. These plants tend to spread and obstruct the narrow paths to access homes and ploughing land, so need to be trimmed.
Besides nectaring at the Senesios, this is perhaps the first time I photographed Monarchs nectaring in a medicine plant we call "Tepozan."
This place is about one kilometer north of "El Cerrito," the site where monarchs stage in the fall, upon arrival ,before they reach El Rosario Sanctuary. This is the "Nicolás Romero" community that's part of Anganguo Ejido. The point is around 8 kilometers northwest of El Rosario Sanctuary.
At noon time yesterday, as I left towards El Rosario I saw hundreds of Monarchs flying all along the way. They were starting to jam the road so that, by next week, it will be hard to drive through.
On their way along the road, some were taking their time to nectar in the huge, blooming Senesios.
On the road, I talked to children leaving school in La Salud community. Eduardo, the oldest, thinks that Monarchs were indeed getting prepared for their massive departure. The rest of the group agreed.
Further along the road, I also met this young family on their way home after school and working day. They expressed that the massive leaving is taking place any day now!
Here and there, either on the road, flying, or at every path to the sanctuary, Monarchs mate everywhere.
It should be mentioned that very frequently you can run into some Monarchs whose wings have been torn up, and who will hardly go their way Northwards.
Others could not even get prepared to start their way. They've been eaten by predators or died of other causes. Their remains are evident everywhere as well.
Monarchs stream down and spread around so, that anyone can enjoy having them so near!
Due to their wide dispersal in the area, we might say that clusters are not anymore that big and heavy on trees. However, they continue to fill the blue sky, flapping their wings as they burst out from trees. It is still very noisy in the air!
Back from the core of the Sanctuary, I enjoyed of a pure-springs glass of water coming out directly from our majestic mountains right there.
This has been for this week, my observations on what seems to be the start of the massive leaving this season. It is now mid-March and, indeed, Monarchs are rushing to prepare.
We are expecting a very dry time over the months to come, according to forecasting, since temperatures increase substantially day by day in our region. It would be not easy for them to bear with 21-25 centigrade every day.
Until next week I send greetings from this warm and brightly-sunny Angangueo.
Your local reporter
Estela Romero
Angangueo, Michoacán, México.
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