Dunwoody Nature Center Butterfly Festival

Saturday, August 16, 2014

I started off my Saturday with a trip to the Dunwoody Nature Center for their annual Butterfly Festival. Hundreds of people were trekking through the woods checking out the exhibits, demonstrations, children’s activities and of course the butterflies. Two tents were set up to allow visitors to interact with the colorful winged insects. I headed through the double curtains and found myself amongst flowers and bushes as children with paint brushes dipped in nectar were trying to reach the hundreds of butterflies that were floating and fluttering through the air. There were other things to see and do as well. Birds of prey, including a Mississippi kite, were shown, balloon animals were being made, crafts were being created and numerous other activities to help educate people about the local wildlife and the nature center were staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. It was a wonderful way to start off my day!

Noah Mims (right), Brayden Watt, Evan Nadler and other children try to keep a bubble in the air by blowing on it during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Noah Mims (right), Brayden Watt, Evan Nadler and other children try to keep a bubble in the air by blowing on it during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Will Friedman tries to coax a butterfly onto a paint stick dipped in nectar during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Will Friedman tries to coax a butterfly onto a paint stick dipped in nectar during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Hampton Hene holds a butterfly in each of his hands during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Hampton Hene holds a butterfly in each of his hands during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Vivi Early (left) holds a butterfly on her finger during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Vivi Early (left) holds a butterfly on her finger during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Alex Deupree (right) takes a close look at a butterfly as she is held by her mother Laura during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Alex Deupree (right) takes a close look at a butterfly as she is held by her mother Laura during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Stacy Truitt shows off a Mississippi kite, a bird of prey, during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Stacy Truitt shows off a Mississippi kite, a bird of prey, during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Vanessa Osborne (center) reaches to touch a skunk pelt during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Vanessa Osborne (center) reaches to touch a skunk pelt during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Paris Stegall (left) is handed a pink butterfly balloon animal by Victoria Brown during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Paris Stegall (left) is handed a pink butterfly balloon animal by Victoria Brown during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Harris Lee (left) reaches for a butterfly with the help of his father David during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Harris Lee (left) reaches for a butterfly with the help of his father David during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Hannah Grace Hene (left) tries to coax a butterfly onto a paint stick dipped in nectar with the help of her father Matt during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Hannah Grace Hene (left) tries to coax a butterfly onto a paint stick dipped in nectar with the help of her father Matt during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

A butterfly perches on a flower during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Alex Deupree (right) takes a close look at a butterfly as she is held by her mother Laura during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.

Alex Deupree (right) takes a close look at a butterfly as she is held by her mother Laura during the Butterfly Festival at the Dunwoody Nature Center on Saturday, August 16, 2014.