What's brown,1 metre long,moves and is not a stick

Today:
Distance: 16.45 km
Time: 88' 02"
Rate: 5' 21" per km
Weather: sunny, mild, temp 18 degrees, humidity 40%, light north breeze
Week: 51.55 km
Sept: 362.2 km
Year: 3259.35 km

The dangers in running are not just about whether you run out of puff, or twist an ankle, but as much about what nature throws at you. Mostly I run on bush tracks and fire trails away from civilization. Consequently, nature provides the freedom and the inspiration while out there.
Today, although close to the suburbs, nature did provide the excitement on a warm sunny spring day. I ran down to the river, did a bit of out and back course and back home. Nothing unusual about the run, taking it reasonably easy and enjoying the day.
Just past the playground on the dirt track, heading north at Pine Is reserve, for no reason I stopped. I turned around and there on the sandy track, a 1 metre, head on one side of the track, tail on the other, thin brown snake going down to the water. Watched him (or her) continue on before I kept going.
Not far from home nature intervened again, dive bombed by a magpie. Normally very friendly except at this breeding time of the year. There is so much going on out there.
Again, a good day for running, very enjoyable.