The Fox and the Rat

The sun had set a couple of hours ago, the chill of the night to come was settling into the air, the lake was still, except for the occasional rise form left by a rising fish. The joggers, walkers, dog owners and cyclists had retired home for the evening, my fishing companions had left.

The water in front of the reeds suddenly exploded and the form of a water rat hove into view, abandoning its submarine journey to cruise to a rock and sit to devour its prize. Clutched in its tiny paws was a piece of the crust of some of the bread, which had been thrown out as a bit of a burley after finishing baiting the hooks.

After finishing the entree, it noticed a number of other crusts on the the shore and, having decided me and my flash were no threat to him, came in for the main course.

Shortly after Ratty's departure, I heard a rustle of the gravel very faintly.

Turning my head slowly, I saw a pair of eyes watching me from the canopy of an old willow tree.

A young fox, attracted by the hope of left overs, was watching cautiously from the cover of the tree. Did it concern me, not at all. I merely sat still and waited as it gathered the courage to come forward.

Approaching along the lake bank, it utilised all the cover it could between me and it until it could remain in cover no longer and ventured out into the open...

Next time you are out, stay still for a moment and let nature come to you. You might be surprised what is lurking just a crowd away.