Seagull

SEAGULL

"From my studio which borders on a park, I studied them in the early morning sunlight delighted with their grace and antics. These white feathered friends became a part of the beauty of my world...a joy to be shared".

The Seagull is the state bird of Utah. It is also a very important symbol of Our Heavenly Father's love and
goodness to His Children. When the first Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah in 1847, food supplies were very low.
They planted crops, hoping for a good harvest and storage to last through what they knew would be a harsh winter. As the crops grew and promised a good harvest, a vast horde of crickets invaded the valley. The skies were black with the advancing armies of winded insects. They fell onto the critical crops, devouring everything that grew.

The valiant pioneers, men, women and children, fought with tools, bare hands, blankets. It was futile. They did all in their powers. They knew they were losing. Falling to their knees, they pled with their Father in Heaven for help. Again, the skies darkened- This time with a winged army of glistening white seagulls from the shores of the
Great Salt Lake. The seagulls fell upon the voracious crickets, filling themselves. Then, they would fly away
to disgorge their unwanted meal and return again and again to consume the crickets until they were gone!