the sun. As its warm light hit the trees, flickers of orange began to dot the branches. Soon, the air filled with the sight of monarch butterflies who had taken flight and the sound of millions of wings flapping for the first time in months.

 When we left, there was going to be rain clouds for the next several days,  Cooper said.  We got incredibly lucky. 

One of the guides who led Cooper was Court Whelan, a nature photographer who runs tour groups to the butterfly reserve. He has traveled the world in search of animals, including on safari in Africa and in rainforests in Papua New Guinea. He told Cooper the migration of monarch butterflies remains one of the most remarkable sights he has seen.

 I think when it comes down to, you know, the impressiveness of a single species,  he told Cooper,  this takes the cake. 

Photos courtesy of Court Whelan.

The video above was originally published on April 20, 2025. It was produced by Brit McCandless Farmer and edited by Scott Rosann.