Summer encroaches

The snakes are out in full force already.  It got up to ninety degrees yesterday.  Hoss managed to rile up a big black rattler that was not even two feet off the path.  He jumped over it and got the warning rattle.  Then he started to go back to investigate and got the 'get the fuck outta here I am pissed" rattle.  It really scared me, I screamed at him to back off.  For some strange reason he listened.  He never listens to me but he did.  I guess the urgency in my voice.  I couldn't get a good look but I saw something white and cotton-like.  I wondered if it was a nest.  Then I went back later and found the remains of a rabbit.  I am afraid of rattlesnakes.