We drove two friends to Ward Pond Ridge, Westchester County, New York yesterday. It was too hot to walk much. We enjoyed a picnic by Cross River. There were butterflies, dragonflies, other insects, and one snake up a tree. It was resting after having just shed its skin.
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 (excuse focus) 
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Little Wood Satyr (Hermeuptychia hermes), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Small Bee-like Fly (Toxomerus marginatus), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)?, Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Meadow at Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Meadow at Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Berries at Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Cross River, Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Cross River, Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Covered bridge, Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020 
Covered bridge, Ward Pond Ridge 7/9/2020
Oh my goodness, what a lot of stunning photos here, Sherry. The heat didn’t deter you from snapping some gorgeous sights. Beautiful place is Ward Pond Ridge, and all the wildlife you found–insects, vistas, berries are so lovely. Nice that you found the snake and with its skin!! I’m always on the look-out for snake skins, and live where there are a lot of snakes, but I rarely find one. That was so fortunate you found the two together. My favorite photo is the first one: elegant image, that ebony jewelring. I know the Japanese Beatles are bad news environmentally, but they sure are beautiful. Also REALLY appreciate all labels, very educating.
It was a lovely day. Still not sure about the Crossline Skipper ID. I needed other views to be able to sort that one out. Skippers can be tricky. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Wow!
Thanks 🙂
A good haul. I have heard how hot New York can be
It’s the humidity that makes it unbearable. Makes it feel over 100 Fahrenheit.
The humidity would get me.
The scenic shots are alluring – this looks like a lively place for a picnic.
It is lovely. A bit too hot at the moment to enjoy properly.
What a delightful place to picnic in the summer.
It is lovely there. And the picnic areas are accessible by car.
Sherry, Your knowledge is unbelievable – thanks for sharing! Love, Cathy
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
It took a few hours of research. I don’t know them all. The Latin is part of the key word tags I created to add in Lightroom.
Great shots – I love the butterflies especially the Spicebush Swallowtail, it looks really pretty, but you can keep the snake 🙂
Thanks Eunice. It’s a harmless snake taking a nap. Many people don’t like snakes or spiders. It was good to see some butterflies. They are out late this year.
I especially like the photos of the Cross River, and the one showing the meadow awash in pink flowers. I smiled to see the common mullein. We have that one, too, and because of its very large, very soft leaves, it’s sometimes called ‘cowboy toilet paper.’
The pink is from the grasses. Marc took that photo. Our friend, Martin, wanted to know the name of the plant, that’s why I included it. Cowboy toilet paper! That’s funny.