Tom will discuss the life of the Monarch butterfly from egg to caterpillar to the adults incredible migration to the trans-volcanic mountains of central Mexico. The highlight will be breathtaking images from Tom's trek high into the Mexican mountains to photograph millions of Monarch butterflies. Tom will also discuss "Monarch Watch", a tagging program conducted by the University of Kansas. Six Monarch butterflies tagged in Tom's backyard have been recovered in Mexico, a distance of 1870 miles!! This is the most popular presentation.
Thousands of Monarch butterflies swirling through the air at the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Night time temperatures can drop into the 20's on the mountain. As evening comes, the butterflies pack tightly together on the trees
Oyamel Fir trees grow to 200 feet tall, Monarch butterflies cover the trees from the ground to the top
As the temperatures rise in the morning, the butterflies come to shallow streams to drink
Standing in a river of Monarch butterflies
Monarch butterflies drinking from a shallow stream, El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Michoacan, Mexico
Monarch butterflies sunning and drinking at the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary