My Favorite Places: Ashton Pond at Blacklick Woods

ANNIE PILLION, Blacklick Woods Ranger

Autumn at Ashton Pond. (Shawna Stambaugh)

When fall arrives, one of my favorite places to visit is Ashton Pond at Blacklick Woods, especially at sunset. The pond is surrounded by trees with leaves that show every hue from pale yellow to a deep red. The sun sets behind the trees and makes the whole forest glow. The effect is doubled because the scene is reflected in the still pond. Look carefully over the pond and you just may spot some turtles basking at the surface or frogs perched on lily pads. Sometimes deer will wander through the forest nearby, or if you are lucky, you may even catch a barred owl fishing for its dinner. With benches right on the water’s edge, it’s such a quiet spot to appreciate the beauty of autumn.

OHIO FALL COLOR FORECAST (see weekly updates on Ohio Dept of Natural Resources website)