Sanctuary of the Monarch Butterfly

NOW is the time to visit Monarch Grove Sanctuary.  According to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove, California (also known as "Butterfly Town, USA"), the butterfly population is currently estimated at 14,000.  The Monarchs cluster by the hundreds into beautiful orange cascades in the pine and eucalyptus trees of the Sanctuary.  We were recently at the preserve and saw the clustered butterflies awaken and flutter about as the sun warmed the area.  A remarkable sight.

The Monarch overwintering season is from November through February.  "Overwintering" means to pass through or wait out the winter season.  The Monarchs venture to the mild climate of the Central California Coast to avoid colder weather.  They may travel up to 2000 miles in order to make this journey. A docent at the Sanctuary, explained this phenomena is unique as several generations of Monarchs have lived and died since the departure of last year's gathering, and so this generation appears without ever having been to the Sanctuary.

Continue reading Sanctuary of the Monarch Butterfly.

XplorMor: Monarch Grove Sanctuary

XplorMor on the Wildside

While on expeditions, the XplorMor team enjoys spotting and observing wildlife in natural habitats.  It's an exciting feeling to be walking along a trail, and catch a movement with the corner of your eye, only find a rare snake slithering in the grasses or an endangered American Crocodile chewing on a fish or the tiniest of caterpillars hanging on a leaf prick you with its stingers while your stooping to take a photograph!  The joys of exploring the wild.

XplorMor Expedition Wildlife Photos - Green Iguana

It's wonderful to just get out there and explore our world; however, it's another to open yourself up to spying creatures in the wild, especially the minute ones that are so easily missed. XplorMor Team has found that documenting the wildlife creates a further depth to getting out there, a whole new layer in the natural world.  And, an important one.  The explorer should be aware of all facets of the world they are exploring in order to make their impression the least impactful, to solely observe and leave no trace.

XplorMor on the Wildside - Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Recently, and thanks to identification assistance from  iNaturalist, we have begun to identify and catalogue much of the wildlife encountered on XplorMor Expeditions.  This has also lead to a better understanding of the environments we've explored by educating us in a new way about the habitats and importance of ecosystems.

XplorMor Expedition Wildlife Photos - Atlantic Ghost Crab

Watch XplorMor Wildlife Slideshows: Birds, Fish and Crustaceans, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians.

Those not yet identified are noted.  If you have any questions, comments or further information on a species, please contact XplorMor.  We will happily share your valuable insights!

The Only Everglades

The only everglades in the world are Florida's Everglades.  Knowing this point puts a different perspective on realizing the effects metropolitan man has had on them over the last century. Much has been bulldozed and built upon.  The ecosystem is also effected by the man-made segregation of its waterways for highway builds and water usage.

Why should this be a problem?  It is for many reasons, in particular as it is home to some of the rarest endangered species in the U.S., including the West Indian Manatee, American Crocodile, Eastern Indigo Snake and about 20 others.  The Everglades are also a main stopover for the world's migrating birds, and it is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western hemisphere.

XplorMor Expedition into the Florida Everglades

XplorMor Team recently ventured to Everglades National Park.  We were excited to visit this subtropical land in our backyard, to paddle its waterways and spy its unique wildlife.  There are many ways to explore the park from paddling canoes or kayaks, to eco-boat tours to walking trails and boardwalks, to wildlife viewing stations just off the road.  There's something for every type of enthusiast.

Continue reading The Only Everglades...

XplorMor Expedition into the Florida Everglades

Out in the Field...

I'm out in the field exploring and photographing more... please visit XplorMor on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn or Pinterest for current whereabouts, images, events and musings.  Watch slideshows and read more on Xplor Florida.

Into the Florida Everglades

Expedition to Panama

Apologies for the delay in posting.  I've been exploring Panama, including the Darien jungle, and Internet connection has been difficult, and at times, non-existent.

Destination: Darien Gap

Mission: To cross the Darien from Puerto Quimba to Playa Muerto in order to locate lost petroglyphs (ancient stone engravings or carvings) and mark a new route through the jungle

End of the road at Puerto Quimba

Our expedition members ventured from the United States and the United Kingdom to Panama City, to meet our Panamanian guides for trekking the Darien jungle.  I was on board to photograph and document the expedition and its findings.

Carrying our Gear to the Dock at Puerto Quimba

We departed Panama City by private bus, travelling the Pan-American Highway, headed east.  Before the road ended, we turned off to Puerto Quimba where a boat was waiting to carry us up river into the heart of Darien.

Continue reading Expedition to Panama...

Our boat (on the right with the canvas cover) waiting to take us up stream into Darien