Thursday 5 March 2015

Sierra Chincua

Today we were going to the Sierra Chincua Butterfly sanctuary. The day had dawned with cloudless skies again so we knew we would be in for a treat.





Can you see that mountain in the centre of the picture? Well the sanctuary was at the top!
I wanted to walk as I wasn't too sure about riding a horse up and down a mountain. However, walking was going to take too long and with the added problems that altitude can bring I was persuaded to mount a horse. Of course this was the second time now that I had been on a horse so I knew the discomfort that was ahead of me.










I emphasized my lack of experience but I think something was lost in the translation as it wasn't long before the boy leading me gave me the reins to go it alone.

As long as the horse just walked I was fine, but when it decided to go a little faster and start trotting, I had no idea what to do except hold on for dear life.



It was a long haul up the mountain. The path was quite narrow in places and I worried that the horse might slip over the edge. I needed both hands so I stopped trying to be clever and put the camera away until I reached the top.
 
Of course, the horse could have found its way up there blindfolded but it was still an unnerving experience for me and I was glad when we got there so I could get off and regain some feeling in my legs.


A lot of the area had been cordoned off when we got to the top as the butterflies were on the move and were landing on the ground. Our guide took us behind the roped off area for a few minutes and I was able to get some close up photos.
























Here you can see them all gathered on the ground so each step had to be taken with care.













The horses had a long rest before they were needed to take us down the mountain.





It was even scarier going down hill on a horse and my knees were killing me.



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When we got to the bottom of the mountain we dismounted and gave the horses back to their owners. I must say the horses looked delighted to have real riders on their backs.






17 comments:

  1. yum. what gorgeous shots, a fascinating experience, and I'm sure, sore muscles. Eh?

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  2. I know exactly the knee pain you were experiencing.

    What a gorgeous spot to visit. Look forward to your next installment.

    By the way. We got more snow today. Dan is out snowplowing our very long driveway in the dusk. The snowblower has a light too. I took no photos because I am truly tired of this. Warmer weather predicted for next week. I hope this is the last of the snow though not the cold. Single digit temps tonight.

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  3. Wow! Double Wow with those wonderful butterfly shots. I am so glad to see them doing so well. :-)

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  4. Wow - look at all those butterflies! Wonderful! Totally worth the horse ride, I'd say.

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  5. I know what you mean about the horse, I went on a treck once and the horse just took off, I just felt like a passenger on it's back. Certanly a lot of butterflys there. Amazing.

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  6. Fortunately you didn't have a racing horse ! Yours looks rather like a mule, lol ! I don't know how I would feel I never sat on a horse only on camels and that went fine. Amazing landscape must have been a beautiful ride and then all these butterflies, unbelievable !

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  7. Your next challenge is probably learning to ride a horse..:) Love the photo's of the butterflies.

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  8. my connection is giving me fits and only loaded about half the photos, however the monarchs look amazing! glad you survived the horseback ride!

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  9. This is definitely going on my bucket list! Wow! I just kept saying wow, picture after picture. I am so glad to see that the monarchs are being taken care of for the winter.

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  10. What a neat place! You got some great photos.

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  11. the lovely flutterbyes must have made the horse riding worthwhile

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  12. What an extraordinary experience - those Monarchs are spectacular in number as well as alone. I do admire your sense of adventure and hope your knees have recovered! (Thank you for your recent comment on my blog)

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  13. Wow---I've never seen that many butterflies in one place.. Amazing... Glad you made it up and back on the horse. You are one brave lady... I'd be wanting to walk!!!!!! ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  14. the butterflies are amazing but, like you ,I wouldn't have enjoyed the horse ride.

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  15. This made me smile and gasp in awe at the same. Never, ever, have I come anything close to seeing that many butterflies together in one place. Spectacular! I had a horse for 8 years, so that's where the smiling part came in. If you're not used to riding, the trot can be pretty uncomfortable :) Good for you for giving it a try!

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  16. This made me smile and gasp in awe at the same. Never, ever, have I come anything close to seeing that many butterflies together in one place. Spectacular! I had a horse for 8 years, so that's where the smiling part came in. If you're not used to riding, the trot can be pretty uncomfortable :) Good for you for giving it a try!

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