The Amphibian pond lies under a perfect blanket of pristine snow, unmarked by any tracks at all. Which is a bit sad, because usually a fresh snow fall the day before provides a clean canvas on which the nocturnal visitors can leave evidence of their journeying. Here, this would normally mean rabbits and foxes. Even our resident beaver has been conspicuous by his absence in the last 8 or 9 days. Up until we had the big thaw and re-freeze, he'd been chewing open holes in the ice. But alas, he has either had an accident or has decided to remain below the ice for the duration, meaning (we hope), that he now has enough food to see him through.