Run rabbit run

Opponents sizing each other up. 

This evening the dog and I walked up to a culvert on the east end of the paved road to see if the crawfish have arrived.  On the way we passed a neighbors grass covered drive way where I spotted a rabbit and quietly directed the dog's attention to it.  He glanced in the rabbit's direction and walked around casually pretending not to care.  Then he stood staring for a moment as you see him in photo I took.  After about thirty seconds of staring he bolted after the rabbit which ran down the fence line when it saw the dog coming. The dog gave chase but it was impossible.  It was like the difference between a car and jet.  The dog was simply out ran by the rabbit as is usually the case.  The dog has in the past caught the rabbits but they were in a situation where they could not see him such as high grass. After the chase ended we walked on up to the culvert where we found that the crawfish had not arrived. We did see a few small bass and brim minnows making their way down through the flowing water.  Soon the crawfish will come out of the ground and begin catching the small fish as they swim by which is always interesting to watch.    They are fierce little machines that don't seem to be afraid of anything and they are tasty.  As I look for the crawfish I am aware that there may be things in bushes watching me.  Anywhere there is flowing water there is the danger of water moccasins. They are in the area of the culvert in large numbers.  The moccasins should be dispersing their broods about now so we will have to be careful. When they are small the moccasins will appear a copper or bronze color and are about a foot long.  They are very aggressive and will jump at you if they feel cornered.  The dog has been bit by snakes several times over the years.  He has apparently survived.