Each spring, when the snow melts, tunnels and nests of voles are revealed. Although we are largely unaware of their existence, especially in winter, they are active under the snow all winter long. This clump of grass is actually a warm nest, and it is surrounded by myriad tunnels (just out of the image). This year must have seen a bumper crop of voles, so to speak, because anywhere I've been where open grassy areas occur, I've seen countless tunnels and nests. Thousands and thousands. The owls, hawks and foxes, as well as coyotes, must have been well fed this winter.