Uncensored Photos of Overwintering Monarch Butterflies in Mexico

[Paul Cherubini]

I visited the Chincua Monarch overwintering reserve in Michoacan,
Mexico a couple days ago and found dozens of trees (about
2 acres worth) festooned with huge clusters of monarchs:
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuaoverview.jpg

I also took the following politically incorrect photos demonstrating
how small clear cuts and patch cuts in the overwintering forests
actually create drinking water and flower nectar habitats for the
butterflies:
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuawater1.jpg
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuawater3.jpg
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuanectar.jpg

I also took a photo of how the overwintering monarchs in Mexico
routinely form their colonies immediately next to natural or man
made cuts / holes in the forest:
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuaclearcut.jpg

Although the colonies form in moderately dense forests
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuamoddense.jpg
areas of very dense forest exist right next to the cluster areas,
but the monarchs do not use them, perhaps because they are too
cold and shaded from the sun:
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuatoodense.jpg

Here's a nice view of the general overwintering region in
Michoacan, Mexico
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/chincuaridgetop.jpg

Paul Cherubini
El Dorado, Calif.

 
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