Amid the woodlands across Carillon Stonegate Pond, there are two trees that stand out. Both trees are dead. These trees are surrounded during summer by a lush green forest. One tree is among the tallest. Both trees have a unique vantage point overlooking the blue waters of the western Carillon Stonegate Pond.
These trees serve unique purposes to our larger avian residents. These trees are the "roosting" trees of Carillon Stonegate Pond.
As you walk around our ponds or sit on your patios and decks, look up toward these trees and you may be fortunate to see these large birds. Below are several of these larger birds. Some are raptors; others are large water birds. From left to right and down, we have an Osprey, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Cooper's Hawk, a Great Horned Owl, a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret and two young Red-tailed Hawks.
Our raptors search out prey from high above the pond. Your may see them dive toward the surface of the pond with claws out and ready to catch a largemouth bass from our pond (in clear violation of our "catch and return" rule!). Others - like Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons - do it for safety while resting or catching some zzz's.
The two primary "roosting" trees are also shown. These trees are located on the northern side of the west Carillon Stonegate Pond.
We are very fortunate to have a variety of wetland, forest and prairie environments conducive to a variety of birds and other wildlife, plants and insects. The natural environment here is well maintained – both for the benefit of the birds and wildlife and for all of us to enjoy.
Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!