Last July, I visited the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope for the first time. I joined a guided tour of the large meadow at the entrance to the preserve, which was then brimming with wildflowers and bustling with bees, butterflies, and even an Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly. Continuing my hunt for flying things to photograph, I decided it was time to return. This time, I brought Bhavna along, hoping she’d enjoy the experience despite the hot, humid weather.
The weather was characteristically July – hot and humid, with temperatures hovering around 32°C (89.6°F). The sun blazed down from a cloudless sky, intensifying the humidity. Bhavna, agreed to come along, hoping that our day would conclude with a visit to a brewery in New Hope, where we could refresh ourselves after braving the elements.
We drove through the scenic backroads: Cherry Valley Road, Pennington-Rocky Hill Road, and Pennington-Titusville Road. We crossed the Washington Crossing Bridge into Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania and continued north on River Road toward the preserve. The drive took about 40 minutes and was filled with views of the countryside.
We arrived at Bowman's Hill just after 2 PM, and the heat was noticeable. We headed straight to the meadow, where I had seen so many wildflowers last summer, including jewelweed, lavender bergamot, Shrubby St. John's Wort, and joe-pye weed. This time, though, it looked different. The once vibrant greenery had dulled, and the wildflowers were few and far between.
Despite the initial disappointment, Bhavna’s keen eyes soon spotted an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) with vibrant yellow wings accented by bold black stripes. The hindwings displayed a beautiful blue shading near the edges, indicating it was likely a female. This splash of blue contrasted beautifully with the yellow and black. Females also have a row of blue spots along the hindwing margins and two orange spots near the tail, adding to their distinctive appearance.
Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails often have more blue on their hindwings than males. This blue colouration is thought to mimic the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail, protecting it from predators. Males typically have less blue and more yellow on their wings.
We continued our walk, but sightings of other butterflies and insects were scarce. However, there were a lot of bees working busily on a large section of Mountain Mint in the meadow. I suggested to Bhavna that I might have some luck finding Odonates at the new pond.
Founders' Pond, built in 1950, became unviable due to structural decline and eutrophication. Renovation plans were interrupted by storms in 2010, requiring a new pond site. Completed last year, the pond was restored with native plants, ensuring it remains a valuable educational resource and habitat for wildlife.
We drove around the loop road to the new pond. It’s not a large pond but I was so excited. There were butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies everywhere. A large group of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, perhaps fifty or so, were gathered at a large buttonbush tree, enjoying the nectar. I think we were at the pond for almost an hour. I photographed the butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and a frog and a turtle that Bhavna spotted near the end of the small pond.
After leaving Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, Bhavna and I went to the Great Barn Taproom in New Hope for some cold beers. It was the perfect way to end a hot, humid day.