First Snow on Carillon Stonegate Pond

The first snow has descended upon Carillon Stonegate Pond here in mid-November. 

While the snowfall was light - only an inch or so, it gave our pond a new look. 

The autumn browns among the shore and trees are now highlighted by the freshly fallen white snow.

The surface of the pond has those mysterious circles - just like those crop circles that one reads about. Many theories as to how these pond circles appear. Some involve aliens; others are more scientific in description. You make your own judgment. But these formations on the thin ice covering are intriguing!

Pond circles after 1st snow on Carillon Stonegate Pond.

At this time of year, Carillon Stonegate Pond has fewer avian residents or visitors. Bird feeders still attract mourning doves, black-capped chickadees and dark-eyed juncos. Northern cardinals and blue jays have been sighted. And we have even seen red-bellied woodpeckers. And you may find that solitary red-tailed hawk watching over Carillon Stonegate Pond perched atop the trees on the north-side.

Red-tailed hawk looking over Carillon Stonegate Pond.

And other wildlife seem to be drawn out on this early snow. We saw a young deer walking out of the woods to shore of Carillon Stonegate Pond to graze and drink. One may also see the coyote roaming the high grasses looking for food.

 

Deer grazing on shoreline of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Throughout the seasons, there is an interesting and unique ebb and flow of birds and other wildlife around Carillon Stonegate Pond. It is a wonderful experience to behold.

For more information on birds and sources of information used in each of these blogs (these are the sources that I am using to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds and Audubon Society.  And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

The Carillon at Stonegate community is very fortunate to have a variety of wetland, forest and prairie environments conducive to a variety of birds and other wildlife. Our community and the Kane County Forest Preserve does an exceptional job in maintaining this natural environment – both for the benefit of the birds and wildlife and for our residents to enjoy. Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!

And please come back to our blog – “Life on Carillon Stonegate Pond” to learn more about the birds and wildlife the either live or visit this wonderful habitat. As I learn, I share with you.