Photograph Birds & Flowers in Malinalco, Mexico
Mexican Colonial City Near Toluca Offers Nature Photo Opportunities
Aug 1, 2009
With its historic monastery and surrounding mountains, Malinalco is a photographer's delight at any time of the year. In winter, nothern-breeding birds join colorful endemics in flowering Jacarandas and gardens, giving camera-toting tourists more subjects to shoot.
Malinalco, Mexico
Modern Malinalco is almost as remote as it was in 1501, when the Aztec (Mexica) conquerors began construction of the extraordinary temples and monuments overlooking the city. The city's isolation appealed to the Aztecs, who built a monolithic complex high above on Cerro de los Idolos. The most famous of these is El Cuauhcalli, where Mexica warriors were initiated into a military elite.
The archeological site is the principal tourist attraction in Malinalco, but visitors also find plenty of other reasons to carry a camera.
The Zocalo and Surrounding Town of Malinalco
As is the case in other colonial Mexican cities, Malinalco's zocalo (town center square) is the colorful commercial and social center of the town. Shaded by tall trees, residents and tourists alike gather here to sip morning coffee, plan the day or just hang out. Civic events are held here as well, and photographers always find something worth recording.
Malinalco's steep cobbled streets lead down to the zocalo, past hotels like El Marmil, open residences and orange-juice vendors. Crimson Vermillion flycatchers perch on telephone wires, and devil-banning pericon flower crosses adorn windows and doors. September 29 is known as the "devil at large" day, and these hand-made crosses are replaced anew each September 28 to protect houses, businesses and crops.
As colorful as central Malinalco is, photographers will be rewarded by wandering west on Guerrero street to the museum and trekking up Cerro de los Idolos (Hill of the Idols) to the Aztec ruin site.
The Flowering Shrubs and Trees Around Malinalco's Museum
From the museum to the nearby entrance to the archeological site, the neighborhood is flush with blooming trees and shrubs. While Bougainvillea bloom throughout the year, the Jacarandas and other trees flower in the winter. The Jacaranda tree is not native to Mexico, having been imported long ago from Brazil, but it thrives in Mexico and is found throughout the country. In winter, the barren trees explode with stunning periwinkle blossoms, turning colorful Mexican neighborhoods into travel posters.
Other photogenic trees and shrubs in Malinalco include figs, guava, plums, Poinsettia, Palo dulce, Easter lily, Sapodilla, Kapok and the beautiful Cacaloxochitl (Nahuatl for "crow flower"), or Flor de Mayo.
As if photographers needed some other enticement, the flowering shrubs and trees also attract colorful migratory and resident birds.
The Birds of Malinalco
More than 100 species of birds can be found in and around Malinalco, ranking the area with other premium birding destinations like San Miguel de Allende. The Jacaranda trees attract Hooded and Black-vented orioles, and fruiting figs draw dozens of other birds, as well.
In addition to the orioles, some of the more colorful birds found in Malinalco include Indigo and Varied buntings, Grey silkies, Townsend's, Black and white, Rufous-capped and Colima warblers. Other striking birds include Rose-throated becards, Red-headed tanagers, Black-headed grosbeaks, Slate-throated redstarts, Vermillion flycatchers and Blue mockingbirds.
Colorful hummingbirds are also common, including Blue-throated, Berylline and White-eared. The aptly named Malinalco birds evoke a rainbow's spectrum.
Getting to Malinalco from Mexico City and Toluca
Malinalco is only 40 miles from the state capital, Toluca, but it seems much more remote. From Mexico City, the super toll-road (Highway 15) leads to Toluca, where Highway 55 is taken to the southeast. From Highway 55, turn left onto Highway 4, which winds through the mountains to Malinalco. Highway continues on from Malinalco to the well-known pilgrimage site at Chalma, and on to Cuernavaca.
Malinalco is a Photographer's Dream Come True
Surrounded by mountains, home to a unique Aztec historical site and graced with an abundance of blossoms and birds, Malinalco is a photographer's delight. Although off the beaten path, Malinalco warrants addition to any Mexico traveler's itinerary.
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