Unlike the last two winters this years affair has been tame by comparison. We had some snow before Christmas but since then it hasn't amounted to very much, so for us snow addicts its all been a bit of a let down. So when heavy snow was forecast last month albeit for a single day before a return to the tropical temperatures, I was ready and poised in my squirrel hide in the local forest. Some snow did fall early in the morning and quite heavily for about 30 minutes but then the sun came out - nightmare, that wasn't supposed to happen! Sunshine and woodlands don't mix well as it creates lots of bright hotspots and shadows in the background so I rarely bother in such conditions. But it was sure to snow again so I stuck it out. Meanwhile the squirrels were filling their faces with the hazelnuts I had liberally scattered in front of the hide and were having a field day. Still no snow, rations depleted, 4 fat squirrels but no shots of any merit. And the sun was still shining. 'I knew I should have gone to do the mountain hares!' By midday I was a twisted knot of frustration but thee was no point in jumping ship now. So, I squeezed out of the hide - squeezed because the door was jammed and I could only open it half way - and refilled the nut containers. Finally it started snowing again. Giant saucer sized snow flakes that looked great through the viewfinder against the trees but not a squirrel in sight. Replete from the morning's activities they were probably snugly tucked up in their drey and had little reason to venture out into the blizzard. And who could blame them? But then a glimmer of hope, a squirrel hot-footing it across the woodland floor in my direction. 'Come on, come on, before this bloody snow stops again!' Then quick as a flash he, she, it was on the branch, a brief look in my direction, before grabbing a hazelnut and away. Had it hung around long enough I would have rushed out and kissed it.