When I was a very shy five year old I went with my family for a day's outing at the Oregon Coast. On the way we stopped at this roadside plant and bird place.

As we walked single file down the aisle, on my left sat a large white bird on a post pedestal. As I came abreast of her, staring at her, she leaned W A Y down into my face and chortled "Hello, little girl".

I've never forgotten - in 70 years - how I felt.