Beaver pond

We have a beaver pond not far from our house. It is a frequent destination for walks. When we moved here two years ago, the beavers had a well-established lodge on the east side of the pond. Their work was evident in dozens of trees chewed down and numerous paths from the water up to the trees and through a marsh to a larger pond farther east. Last summer, they built a second lodge fifty yards from the first. They chewed down more trees, and then suddenly last spring, they disappeared. No more trees cut down. Their well-worn paths grew over and filled with leaves in the fall. Then, three days ago, they returned. I've seen three of them swimming in the pond each day since. Their rounded heads move just above the surface, cutting a gentle wake in the still water. They have a large collection of branches in front of the newer lodge, food for the winter that is soon coming.