~~~
"One Raven is a Good Omen"
The Raven
When
we lived in Springdale and it rained, the first thing we did was drive
up the Canyon, to see the waterfalls. Sometimes we would hear the
flood water rush down dry drainages and dump into the Virgin
River. Sometimes we would witness huge rocks and water roll
off the cliffs and land on the road just in front of us. If we
were careful, we could get some great 
pictures.
It was raining in St. George where we now live, I had a new digital
camera, and I knew there would be waterfalls in Zion. We just had to go
see! As we drove, we followed the rain all the way to the
Park. Just past the l01 Rancho at Virgin, the river was high,
muddy, and going like crazy! And there, next to the river, in the
branches of a dead tree, sat two black Ravens. Was this an omen? Many
cultures have regarded the raven as an omen of death, pestilence and
disease. In societies throughout the northern hemisphere, the raven has
appeared since ancient times as a prophet, a harbinger of death and
doom, a messenger, strongly associated with storms and floods . . . and
this was getting to be quite a flood!
pictures.
It was raining in St. George where we now live, I had a new digital
camera, and I knew there would be waterfalls in Zion. We just had to go
see! As we drove, we followed the rain all the way to the
Park. Just past the l01 Rancho at Virgin, the river was high,
muddy, and going like crazy! And there, next to the river, in the
branches of a dead tree, sat two black Ravens. Was this an omen? Many
cultures have regarded the raven as an omen of death, pestilence and
disease. In societies throughout the northern hemisphere, the raven has
appeared since ancient times as a prophet, a harbinger of death and
doom, a messenger, strongly associated with storms and floods . . . and
this was getting to be quite a flood! We
entered Zion National Park, went up canyon, and crossed the bridge....
WOW!!! In all our years watching the Virgin River flood waters
gray, white, red, and really red, there's never been anything
like this! The water was black, churning all kinds of debris, and
rising rapidly. "To see one raven is lucky, 'tis true,.... But it's
certain misfortune to light upon two" (author unknown). The rain
must have washed the charcoal and ash from the recent fires in Zion.
Black water, black Ravens...... and today.... dark chocolate river
banks left on the sides of the river.
If you have stories about Ravens in your life, call
Marilyn Davis at 435 673-0996.
Brenda Rusnell is the artist of the Raven. And, "One Raven is a good omen". Thanks Brenda for a great picture.
Remember, for more information about birds, call the Red Cliffs Audubon at 435 673-0996.
Brenda Rusnell is the artist of the Raven. And, "One Raven is a good omen". Thanks Brenda for a great picture.
Remember, for more information about birds, call the Red Cliffs Audubon at 435 673-0996.