Sitting with Great Egret as it rains

It began to rain. 

Two things caught my attention.

A Sabal palm near the porch. Have you ever heard raindrops on their fronds? It sounds like rain on a metal roof, one of my favorite sounds in the world. And a bird—a Great Egret on the pond's edge.

I grabbed my camera, ran outside, and squatted behind the bird. I wanted to see the pond from Egret's view. 

I listened. I watched. I felt rain soak my hair and clothing.

I imagined bird as someone not at all like me in appearance, behavior, or habits. I imagined its view.

My gaze softened.

I relaxed. 

With Egret. With myself.