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Greetings!

 

And welcome to three new “members” this week!

 When we moved to Lansdowne Woods – known as Leisure World in those days – there was a sales center building just inside the main entrance, where prospective residents could visit examples of the various units available throughout the complex.  I do not know which unit the visitor shown in Picture #1 chose!

Immediately behind this building was a pond, as shown in image #2.

 There was no specific footpath or trail leading to, or around, this pond, and although I spent many hours watching birds, deer, and other creatures around it, I almost never saw another human.

 

I am not sure if all the footprints in the snow in picture #5 are mine or not!

  Anyway, it was a delightful spot.  However, the master plan for the complex had always envisaged that the sales center would eventually be converted into inhabited condo units, and when the work started the pond was drained (picture #6).

  Interestingly, even though I never saw any kind of boat on the pond, and have not found anyone else who ever did, as the water level fell, a substantial boat anchor appeared, and can be seen in #6 standing on a tree stump in front of the large rock on the right hand side of the work area.  (I think the tree stump is probably the one shown in picture #3.)  As far as I could determine at the time, (or since) no attempt was made to rescue the koi.  Perhaps as the water level fell they were picked-off by herons, or even Bald Eagles such as the one in image #7,

which was taken from the edge of the pond site.

 It was initially stated that the pond was going to be eliminated entirely, but to my great relief the developers changed their minds, and after substantially re-working the berm that defined its “lower” (northern) edge and the water level control structure, it was allowed to refill itself, as shown in image #8.

  The construction work also resulted in a paved (but very steep) path leading down to its eastern end, and a walkable grass path along the top of the berm.  These improvements, plus the influx of residents into the new condos, means that the human presence around the pond has increased somewhat, but, happily, the wildlife has -with the exception of the koi – returned.

 Picture #9 shows a Spotted Sandpiper – a very unusual visitor.

  #10 shows more than a dozen of the painted turtles sunning themselves – we also have snapping turtles.

  The wild flowers around the pond provide food and shelter for a host of species.  This past Saturday I discovered a bush covered in dozens of Ailanthus Webworm Moths and several Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetles (aka Goldenrod Soldier Beetles), some of which are shown in #11.

  And just yesterday (Sunday) I observed the Green Heron shown in #12.

  I also watched a red fox trot across the grass next to the condos, and a little while later (and from the far side of the pond) I spotted him (her?) snuggled down amongst the vegetation (#13).

 Clearly those in charge of the reconstruction project have done an exemplary job, and hopefully this pond will continue to be a hidden gem within our community.

 I would be very remiss if I did not express sincere thoughts to all who have been, or will be, affected by Harvey, Irma, Jose, or any of the other current natural disasters.  Also in memory of the man-made disaster sixteen years ago today.

 Best Regards