The storm has cleared. The few brief days of snow, cold, and gloomy skies has past. Today the sky is a lovely blue with puffy white clouds and a magical wind stirring the last few leaves. It’s the Christmas season in southern Utah and time to decorate for the holidays. In my yard I see live Christmas ornaments arriving. They are birds dressed in a variety of colored feathers. There are single birds, groups of birds, and flocks of birds. Birds that swirl through the skies and then drop to the trees or alight in the pasture. Meadowlarks, Starlings, Juncos, White Crowns, Pipit’s, Red wings, Finches . . . all tiny creatures of God that come in winter to brighten our lives. December is a great month to enjoy live Christmas ornaments. All it takes is bird seed and a protected area for birds to stop by to dine.

        A few days ago my honey and I made a trip to Zion. We never tire of driving through the canyons. When there is snow on the ground and on the trees it becomes a winter wonderland. We stopped by the Checkerboard Mesa viewing area to rest and stretch our legs. This was a great stop because the pine trees surrounding the parking area weren’t only covered with snow, they had live Christmas ornaments. The ornaments were friendly Western Scrub Jays with beautiful blue feathers that seemed to glisten in the sunlight. They flew from tree to tree and to the parking area wall, probably wanting to see who the visitors were, or perhaps to find a dropped goody.

        We are fortunate to live in Utah’s Dixie. The mild winter weather and spectacular scenery just can’t be beat. Best wishes to all, and may your decorated Christmas trees, sparkling with lights, bring as much joy into your lives as my live Christmas ornaments covered with feathers bring to me.

        If you would like an outdoor experience, with colorful birds, plan to be a part of our upcoming Christmas Bird Counts.  The St. George CBC is Saturday, December 26. The Silver Reef CBC is Monday, December 28. There could very well be 100+ different species at each count. To register for the counts, call Marilyn Davis at 435 673-0996.  Birders and wanabes welcome.