funny sound (cooling fans?)

Car has been running fine, no problems at all. today i drove home from work, got out of the car, and i hear a funny sound coming from the engine(I leave the car still running). It almost sounds like a bunch of leaves in the cooling fan. I didnt look at it or anything, just kinda figured it would go away. Started up later and drove, no problems at all, but when i got to where i was going, i heard it again. Started it up about 2 hours later, no problems or sounds, drove to applebees, making the sound again. left applebees got homew, making the sound again. there are no performance problems that i am aware of, just that sound. I kinda looked at the fan today but didnt see anything, and i looked at the belts too, nothing. The engine was pretty hot and i didnt wanna get too close so i figured i'll look tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone has ever had a problem like this? its sounds like there are leaves or a wire or the fan is scraping something(if its the fan at all). I figure its the fan because it doesnt make the noise when its somewhat cooled down. just after heating up. Thanks for any advice!

Just check what's around that area. Pull everything that hangs close aside from the fans. Let the car run and and be under the hood while waiting for it to see where its coming from and what it is. Just sounds like something rubbing somewhere.

yeah ill check it out tomorrow in the light. I just looked at it now (about 11:30pm) and i couldnt see much with just a flashlight.