“The Desert State” is not a fitting nickname for Utah.

Here’s why:

There are five national parks in Utah and they all are absolutely GORGEOUS. Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its impressive stone hoodoos. Arches National Park is filled with amazing rock formations. Canyonlands is much more than a desert wilderness; two rivers run through the park. Capitol Reef is known for the Waterpocket Fold, a thin ridge of stone that goes on for 100 miles. Finally, Zion is one of the most well known national parks in the United States. It has forests, waterfalls, and so many other wonders of nature.

The wildlife in these parks is diverse and unique. There are more than 600 different species of mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The undeveloped landscape is a perfect ecosystem for these animals. Each of the parks offers excellent opportunities for bird watching.

In 2016, my father relocated our family to Cedar City, UT. Our convenient location in Southern Utah allowed for many trips to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park. Each weekend my family would plan hikes and picnics in the beautiful parks. This was the perfect place for birding. After lunch, I would sit with my seven-year-old brother. I taught him how to listen for the bird’s chirps and how to spot the flashes of colors. He became just as curious about birds as I was. This curiosity grew to a passion just like the rest of our family. One day, my brother came home with a new school assignment researching Utah’s state bird. I sat with him at the dinner table all night learning about the California Gull.

Photo by Utah’s Online Library

Regardless of its non-local origin, the California Gull (Seagull) was named Utah’s state bird in 1955. This choice has a symbolic meaning. In 1848, these gulls saved the first settlers of the state by eating all the crickets that were destroying the crops. Orson F. Whitney states:

“when it seemed that nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks of gulls appeared, filling the air with their white wings and plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half-ruined fields. fields. All day long they gorged themselves, and when full, disgorged and feasted again, the white gulls upon the black crickets, list hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests were vanquished and the people were saved”

This interesting event in history makes the California Gull a treasured part of Utah. There is a gold statue of the California Gull on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Its purpose is to remind the community of how the Seagulls saved the crops and the future of the state.

The Seagulls are often compared to wizards due to their effortless and seemingly impossible methods of flight. They often appear motionless when flying due to perfect precision and positioning in the wind currents.

Photo by Talains Photography Blog

California Gulls breed in lakes spanning from Canada to California and it spends winters along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. The bird is described with both a gentle appearance and behavior. It’s round head and form give off a softer look than that of other gull species. These birds have no real concern with humans. They simply don’t like or dislike them. In slang terms, they are chillin’.

Photo by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In case anyone was wondering, I did learn all of this from a seven-year-olds school project. In fact, I think I may have been more committed than he was… whoops!