Blooms, Butterflies & Blazing Stars in the Prairie - Long Hunter State Park

* To register for this event, please go ahead and RSVP here on Meetup, but you must also sign up on the park's event page at
https://tnstateparks.com/parks/event_details/long-hunter/#/?event=blooms-and-butterflies-071125

Meeting Time: 3:00 PM
Meeting Place: Deer Trail traihead beside the Visitor Center parking lot
Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes
Program Leader: Ranger Leslie

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is the star of the Deer Trail this time of year. The tall spikes of lavender hue attract swallowtails and other butterflies that drink the nectar to their content. In addition, Praying Mantis, Green lynx spiders and Wheel Bugs hide amongst the blooms and catch unsuspecting butterflies.

Join Ranger Leslie for a short examination of this splendid prairie to see what we can find!

All of this activity is only a short walk from the office parking lot along the first 100 feet of the mile-long trail. Don’t forget your camera for some terrific butterfly photo ops and selfies. Tag us if you get some good photos! #LongHunterBlazingStars

* Note: This program is limited to the first 10 who sign up on the park website. I'm posting here to give Meetup members first dibs. Once the hike is full, the park website will say "Sold Out" and will not allow anymore signups. Thank you!

Directions To Deer Trail:
Enter Long Hunter State Park at the main park entrance (2910 Hobson Pike) and then take the first right and proceed to Visitor Center parking lot. The trailhead for the Deer Trail is at the back corner of the parking lot.