See the Millions of Migrating Butterflies That Transform This Mexican Forest
At the end of each North American summer, one of the world’s most astounding migrations begins: Millions upon millions of monarch butterflies make their way from Canada and the United States to an expanse of forest in central Mexico. They settle on oyamel fir trees by the thousands—weighing down branches and blanketing the forest floor. With their arrival, the forest turns a stunning shade of orange.
The 2,800-mile journey takes the butterflies around three months, which makes it the longest insect migration in the world. These monarchs are also the only butterflies known to make a round trip. Around March, they head back north guided by the earth’s magnetic field, the sun’s position, and other internal and external compasses that scientists are still trying to understand.
In February, Atlas Obscura took a handful of travelers to behold Mexico’s Great Monarch Butterfly Migration. Treading silently among the magnificent creatures, Atlas Obscura trip leaders Phil Torres and Becky Friesen guided travelers through the butterflies’ winter habitat: a 200 square mile nature reserve called the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
Lucky for us, Phil also happens to be an amazing photographer. Here’s some of what they saw.
A lone butterfly in the El Rosario Sanctuary in Michoacán. PHIL TORRES
A flurry of neon wings on the fir branches. PHIL TORRES
Every year, the butterflies take up residence in the same forest of pine and oyamel fir trees. PHIL TORRES
Butterflies on the forest floor. PHIL TORRES
The millions of butterflies with turn around and make the trip back north. PHIL TORRES
Our group of butterfly enthusiasts in the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary. PHIL TORRES
By Nick Papa
I’m the editor of the Atlas Obscura trips blog. I talk to our trip leaders, travelers, and friends in the industry about how they explore the world’s wondrous places.
