monarch butterflies awake

Monarch butterflies come to life in response to the sun warming away the winter in the mountains of central Mexico and begin to fill the skies as they prepare for their 2000 mile journey north to Canada. I filmed these butterflies in late February after they had been resting almost in a state of hibernation huddled by the millions on the oyamel fir trees for warmth. Now as they temperatures rise so do the butterflies leaving the tees daily in search of food and water gaining strength for their long journey home. These butterflies of course will only being the trip before mating, giving birth, and then dying. The next generation will continue the journey, but they too will only make it part way before handing it over to two more generations to complete the trip.