L.A. LOOKS Wildlife Corner Photo & Article By Barbara Ann Comer The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America. Since it occurs in all the lower 48 states as well as southeastern Alaska most new residents can readily identify them. Despite its size, it is quite graceful on the wing and always a treat to see in takeoff or landing. Found at any body of water in Lake Ashton year round, they have even nested here. Nests are usually high in a tree and in colonies. The usual three to five eggs give way to young birds resembling gawky teenagers. Notorious for playing with their food before finally sending it down the hatch, they eat mainly fish, but also enjoy dining on frogs, turtles, snakes, rodents and even birds. On a hot Florida day they can be seen cooling themselves with the undersides of their wings facing upwards producing an odd looking pose. WETLANDS AND CONSERVATION AREAS OF LAKE ASHTON Many of Lake Ashton's wetlands and conservation areas are important to our community in a number of ways. They serve many functions like protect against flooding, improve water quality, and provide a home for threatened and protected species. Wetlands in Lake Ashton clean the storm water that is referred to as “runoff”. After that, this water goes to Lake Ashton. When the water gets to the lake, it will go through the outfall structure, which is on 16 the southwest shore of the lake. After that, the water will go to Peace Creek and then to the Peace River. The Peace River can overflow and flood when it rains a lot. This could cause lakes and ponds to have higher than normal water levels, which will be felt by the residents in Lake Ashton. Our aquatics vendor and Lake Ashton CDD staff work together all the time to make sure that our wetlands are being managed properly. Email Matt Fisher at mfisher@lakeashtoncdd.com with any questions or concerns. Residents are reminded that they should not do any unauthorized maintenance in these areas. LA II (WH) HOA NEWS By Connie Strasberg I am glad to announce the newly reorganized HOA Board of Directors that was chosen at the Special HOA Meeting held on September 25. Due to the resignations of two directors, it was necessary to reorganize the board for the remainder of the current term. The new Board of Directors currently has three members, which is quorum. This board will serve until the Annual Meeting that is scheduled for November 18. • President: Connie Strassberg, TreasurerLA2HOA@gmail.com • VP/ARC Liaison: Mike Brennan VPARCLA2HOA@gmail.com • Secretary/Treasurer: Ray Rudy VPTreasurerLA2HOA@gmail.com At the Annual Meeting, Directors are elected for two year terms. On odd years three Directors are up for election while on even years two Directors are up for election. Right after the election, the entire board meets privately to select which of the Directors will take which board positions for the upcoming year. Even though someone is elected as a Director for a two year term, that Director may serve in different capacities each of those years. On November 18, 2025, the community will need to elect three Directors to two-year terms and one Director to a one-year term to fill the remainder of the term of one of those who resigned. After the election, the board will organize itself for the coming year.
17 Publizr Home