Help with interpreting symbolism

Is there anyone out there who knows how to derive meaning from nature? It is pretty obvious, but I don't believe in subscribing to fear so I'm having a bit of trouble.

I drive to a nature preserve a few minutes away from my home every morning to spend time with nature and for my dog too because I live on the fourth floor of a building and need the grounding.

I heard a lot of commotion in the tree above me. Watched a crow get chased away by some birds, I'm assuming it tried to raid a nest. When I noticed the nest there was an adolescent chick sounding from it, so I stood on a wooden railing to inspect.

The chick was very cute and looked at me curiously from a couple feet away, it was making calls to its parent. I looked down on the other side of the railing in the grass, and saw a snake scurrying away. My dog (protector) walked right in its path completely unaware. The parent bird returned with a worm and seemed to make an alarming sound because I was so close to the nest. So I stepped down and went on my way.

There is a very literal interpretation here, danger, caution, etc. but I don't wish to live life derived from fear, so not sure how to feel about this. Does the snake necessarily mean danger, or do they have a different meaning I am unaware of?

Anyways, I am interested in what anyone thinks, regardless. Tweet