dove

 

Mourning doves are often seen in winter, especially under bird feeders.

muskrat home

Several muskrats Ondatra zibethicus live in a burrow on the east shore of the pond. 

This year, I noticed an area of collapsed dirt over their burrow. Recently, it seemed they were active on the north shore of the pond, digging a new burrow where they may spend the winter. 

Some muskrats build domed houses of mud and vegetation visible above ground, but just as often they dig burrows with an underwater entrance.

ice stars

'Ice stars' or 'Lake stars' develop under very specific early winter conditions. 

First, a cold snap that freezes the pond ice an inch or two thick, followed by warmer days that bump the ice temperature above 32F. Pores form in the ice sheet where there are any imperfections in the water surface (plant matter, logs). Then, some snow falls with a cold front blowing in.  Warm water wells up from beneath the thin layer of ice, covered with a coating of snow and slush.  Temperature and precipitation have to be perfect for this to happen. 

Crows gather in massive groups to roost together at night so they can share warmth and safety from predators. It is believed they even exchange information about food and weather fronts.

tamarack in autumn

 

The Tamarack tree Larix laricina is a deciduous tree.  In summer it has lush green needle-like leaves; in autumn the leaves turn golden before they drop.  Next to the pond, it gets along with other swamp and wetland species. 

This tree is also a conifer, making small cones that shed winged seeds in the fall.