Five-year-old Brooklynn Zechiedrich's mouth opened as her eyes followed a painted lady butterfly rising out of a jar she held at Hobbs State Park Visitor Center on Saturday.
The release of butterflies was one of many events focused on insects held at the park.
"Do you see their tongues?" said Rebekah Penny, Hobbs State Park interpreter. "The tongue helps it get into the flower to eat the nectar."
Events Saturday included a story about dragonflies and other insects. It also included songs and a craft time. A talk about dragonflies led by entomologist Bob Thomas was held later in the day.
"One of the great things about dragonflies is that they don't bite or sting," Thomas said."They do eat pesky bugs such as mosquitoes."
More than 100 species of dragonflies are documented in Arkansas, according to a park news release.
Thomas said it is good to see dragonflies around water. He said the lack of dragonflies could mean the water is of low quality.
"They will not hang out in nasty water," Thomas said.
Attendees were able to catch, identify and release dragonflies following the lecture.
Leonard, Brooklynn's father, said his family attends events at the visitor center often. He said Brooklynn and his youngest daughter Charlie, 2, enjoy the events.
"They get to learn about nature," Zechiedrich, of Rogers, said. "The do a good job about teaching the kids about the local flora and fauna."
Brooklynn said she had fun releasing the butterflies.
"They went to the flowers to eat them," Brooklynn said.
Rebekah Penny, Hobbs State Park interpreter, said the events are to make people aware of the diversity of life at the park.
"It gives people an understanding that nature has a function," Penny said.
Zechiedrich said he can see the affect of the events on his children.
"Brooklynn loves to go on bug hunts," Zechiedrich said. "A lot of that stems from here."
The events are part of a three-part series being held at the visitor center, 20201 East Arkansas 12, Rogers. Future free events will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beetles will be the focus of part two on Saturday, July 25 and butterflies on Saturday, September 26.
For more information on park events visit www.arkansasstateparks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea/
NW News on 06/14/2015