Ward Pond Ridge

Ward Pound Ridge Butterflies

Sherry Felix2 Comments

To sort out the Comma from a Question Mark butterfly one needs to see the underside or ventral side (first two images).

Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Red-Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Oak Besma (Besma endropiaria) geometer moth, Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Monarch on thistle, Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Red-Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele) on goldenrod, Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026

Ward Pound Ridge Insects

Sherry Felix5 Comments

Always a joy to spend a day at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Marc photographed the spider wasp. It wasn’t until I processed it that I saw it was injecting a spider with its eggs.

Spider wasp (Entypus unifasciatus) injecting a spider, Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Wolf Spider (Tigrosa helluo), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponia), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026
Common Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica virginica) on Bird’s-foot Trefoil or Eggs and Bacon (Lotus corniculatus), Ward Pound Ridge 8/14/2026

WPR Landscapes

Sherry Felix8 Comments

The last of 7 posts on our trip to Ward Pound Ridge. Marc photographed the first 3 and I enhanced them.

A serene view of a lush green landscape with a small stream surrounded by trees and foliage.
Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Serene view of a lush green landscape with a gently flowing river, framed by trees and a wooden fence.
Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Dense green foliage and trees surrounding a weathered stone structure in a natural landscape.
Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A grassy meadow with patches of pink wildflowers and lush greenery, capturing the natural beauty of Ward Pound Ridge.
Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a moss-covered rock surrounded by green grass and plants.
Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025

WPR Plants

Sherry Felix11 Comments

Sometimes I’ll use iNaturalist on my phone at home to ID a plant on the computer screen. When that doesn’t work, I’ll search online until I find it. I am not sure about my berry ID in the last photo.

A close-up image of delicate white flowers with star-like petals against a green background.
Tall Meadow-rue (Thalictrum pubescens), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up of a plant with clusters of spiky buds and a single bright red fruit surrounded by green leaves.
Japanese Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up view of a tree trunk with textured bark and bright green leaves in the background.
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up image of a vibrant pink flower with five petals and white speckles, set against a soft, blurred green background.
Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up of green leaves with a small yellow flower, surrounded by more foliage.
Whorled Loosetrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up of a cluster of bright yellow flowers with green foliage in the background
Bird’s-foot Trefoil or Eggs and Bacon (Lotus corniculatus), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up image of colorful berries on a green leafy plant, featuring various shades of red, orange, and green.
Honeysuckle, Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025

WPR Birds

Sherry Felix4 Comments

I didn’t see that many birds. My focus was on insects. I used AI to fix the blurry chipping sparrow.

A bird perched on a power line against a blue sky.
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A bird perched on a wire, looking upward against a clear blue sky.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A small bird standing on a gravel surface, with a brown and orange coloration. The bird appears to be foraging for food, with something in its beak.
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a small bird standing among bright green grass and foliage.
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025

WPR Insects

Sherry Felix2 Comments

The first thing I saw at Ward Pond Ridge was a Cicada. I can’t tell which one of the hundreds of species it is. It is about 2 inches long.

Close-up view of a cicada perched on a yellow background, showcasing detailed features including its wings and body.
(Cicadomorpha) cicadas and leafhoppers, Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Two beetles resting on green leaves in a natural setting.
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a cicada resting on green leaves, showcasing its detailed body and antennae.
Differentialis (Differential Grasshopper), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up image of a brown spider on sandy ground, surrounded by small stones and debris.
Wolf Spider (Tigrosa helluo), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a bumblebee collecting pollen from a yellow flower with green leaves.
Common Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica virginica) on St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025

WPR Odonates

Sherry Felix8 Comments

These are slightly easier to identify than skippers.

A large black dragonfly with iridescent wings rests on a wooden branch above calm water, surrounded by green foliage.
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A dragonfly perched on a green leaf above shimmering water, showcasing its iridescent black wings and blue body.
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A striking damselfly perched on a wooden branch over water, showcasing iridescent blue-green coloration and dark wings.
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A serene water scene featuring dragonflies resting on floating vegetation, surrounded by reflective water and natural greenery.
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up view of a slender dragonfly resting on a rocky surface.
Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A dragonfly perched on a rocky surface, showcasing its intricate wings and body.
Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a dragonfly perched on a twig, captured in a vibrant green and blurred natural background.
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a dragonfly with striking yellow and black patterned wings, perched on a thin twig against a blurred green background.
Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponia), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025

WPR Skippers

Sherry FelixLeave a comment

More from Ward Pound Ridge. These are so hard to identify, I bet I got some of them wrong. I would love some help correcting the labels.

Close-up of a dark butterfly perched on a green leaf, showcasing its detailed wings and antennae against a blurred green background.
Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a butterfly perched on a green leaf next to small white flowers.
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A butterfly and a bee are perched on a cluster of flowers amidst green foliage.
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Common Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica virginica), and Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A brown butterfly perched on a cluster of white flowers, with lush green foliage blurred in the background.
Northern Broken-Dash (Wallengrenia egeremet), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A brown moth feeding on white flowers surrounded by green leaves.
European skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up photograph of a moth resting on a dried flower head surrounded by green foliage.
Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a brown butterfly resting on vibrant purple flowers.
Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up of a brown butterfly perched on a green leaf, with clear focus on its wings and antennae.
Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
Close-up of a vibrant orange butterfly perched on a purple flower among green grass.
Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a brown butterfly perched on pink flowers, surrounded by green foliage.
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up view of a butterfly resting on a purple clover flower, surrounded by green foliage.
Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A butterfly perched on purple lavender flowers in a garden setting.
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a brown butterfly perched on vibrant purple lavender flowers, with green foliage in the background.
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025
A close-up of a butterfly perched on vibrant purple flowers, showcasing its detailed wings and antennae.
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes), Ward Pound Ridge 7/5/2025