L.A. LOOKS Wildlife Corner Photo & Article By Barbara Ann Comer The Snowy Egret is the small delicate white Egret found at Lake Ashton. In breeding plumage it takes on a sassy appearance with frazzled-looking plumes about its head giving it an angry demeanor. It is easily identified by the small size, black bill, black legs and those "golden slippers." In high breeding plumage the usually yellow lores (area in front of the bill) turn red and the feet orange. Found at any body of water at Lake Ashton year round it will often sit still at the edge of the water waiting for an unsuspecting small fish to swim by. Sometimes they forage actively in the shallow water walking or running about. They will also stir the bottom of the pond with their yellow feet to scare up prey like fish, insects and crustaceans into action. Like other birds in the heron family, they nest in colonies usually mixed in with other species. LA (LW) HOA CORNER By Deanne Mayne The HOA sends holiday greetings to all. This is such a festive time of year and it's fun to see all the decorations for the season. For December the HOA will be checking homes for flags, mulch, signs, and backyards. The only approved flags on flagpoles or garages are the US flag, the Florida state flag, U.S. military flags, the POW-MIA flag, and first responder flags. If you desire flags for your favorite team or a "welcome sign", they must be garden flags no larger than 12" by 18”. Finally, clarification regarding backyards: If your backyard is visible (corner lots or homes that are visible from the cart paths) the same guidelines apply for what is allowed in the front yard. Remember, your backyard is visible to your neighbor's yard. WHAT IS THE "LITTORAL SHELF" AND WHAT MAKES IT SIGNIFICANT? The portion of the perimeter of a pond that slopes down is called the littoral area. It's also known as the shallow area close to the shore. The littoral shelf looks like a small wetland when it is healthy. A lot of natural aquatic plants, like Bulrush, Pickerel Weed, and Duck Potato, do well in these places. The littoral shelf has many benefits, such as better water quality because it supports beneficial species that consume the nutrients that help algae and invasive aquatic weeds grow. The shelf also filters the water before it leaves the pond through a flow structure and helps to keep the shoreline in place, which reduces erosion. Behind Limerick Drive and behind Litchfield Loop, you can find littoral shelfs in Lake Ashton. The picture shows that Sandhill Cranes love to build their nests in the littoral shelf behind Limerick Drive. Email Matt Fisher at mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com if you have any questions or concerns. Mulch often needs to be refreshed and may be done by your lawn care team or yourself. Please note that all mulch visible from the street or cart paths must be the same variety. Acceptable mulch varieties can be found in the ARC Guidelines. A reminder about signs: The only signs allowed are home security signs near the entrance to your home. All other signs are not approved and need to be removed. (Pesticide signs are allowed for the day of application.)
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