Monarchs

Monarchs is a large-format natural history photographic volume conceived by National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer Jaime Rojo. Featuring more than one hundred and forty breathtaking full-color photographs produced over nearly two decades of fieldwork, this monograph documents the epic annual multi-thousand-mile migration of monarch butterflies across North America. From the dense oyamel fir forests in the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico, where millions of butterflies gather in massive clusters to overwinter, to the vast milkweed corridors of the United States and Canada, the book captures every stage of their life cycle with astonishing visual clarity and precision.

For nature photographers, conservationists, and visual storytellers, Monarchs provides immense value through its masterful composition, technical excellence, and dedication to conservation photojournalism. Jaime Rojo combines close-up macro perspectives of wing venation with expansive landscape panoramas showing the sheer scale of the migration. Beyond biological documentation, the narrative emphasizes the delicate balance sustaining this natural spectacle, addressing the critical loss of breeding habitats, the reduction of essential milkweed plants, and the threats posed by climate change to overwintering sanctuaries.

This monograph serves as an exemplary case study in long-term documentary wildlife photography and environmental advocacy. Accompanied by insightful contributions from leading scientists and community advocates along the migratory path, Monarchs bridges scientific rigor and fine art photography. It is an indispensable resource for photographers aiming to communicate conservation urgency, celebrate ecological wonders, and explore the intricate relationship between human communities and vulnerable wildlife populations.