On Sept. 19, Grandfather Mountain hosted the 45th Annual Girl Scout Day.

Bonnie Jo Taylor from Troop 2147 attended and got up close and personal with some of the smallest lifeforms on Grandfather Mountain.

With the help of Grandfather’s education staff, she and other Girl Scouts looked through leaf litter and searched for insects. She collected the bugs inside a small container to get a closer look at the insects and identified them.

“This was my favorite part of the day” she said.

Grandfather Mountain’s butterfly garden was investigated searching for species of butterflies.

Bonnie Jo toured the Natural Habitats observing black bears, eagles, and river otters in their beautiful natural environments. Along the way, she answered questions to achieve her Junior Ranger Badge, and took the Junior Ranger oath that day as well.

There was also a fun hike along Bridge Trail ending at the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Bonnie Jo and other Girl Scouts created their own butterflies, and, using field guides, they saw how close their imaginations were to the real thing.

Capping off the program, the girls got their hands painted like their personal butterflies and transferred them to a large canvas. The result was a kaleidoscope of butterflies for all at Grandfather Mountain to see.

At the closing ceremony, she won the Troop Insect Scavenger Hunt. She was awarded a butterfly and moth field guide and specimen box.

Next year’s 46th Annual Grandfather Mountain Girl Scout day will concentrate on the wonders of plants.