St. George bird festival takes flight Jan. 24

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Birders and wildlife enthusiasts will be flocking to St. George Jan. 24-26 for the 10th annual St. George Winter Bird Festival.

Beginner and experienced birders are encouraged to participate in the festival, which includes field trips, presentations, workshops, photography and art contests plus a banquet with a silent auction.

Nature photographer Christopher Balmer will serve as the keynote speaker during a dinner on Jan. 26. His presentation will focus on the beauty and fascination of owls. Balmer will also provide tips on taking good photos of birds and how to preserve them for future use.

Tickets for the banquet are $23. A $5 three-day general admission pass is good for other activities. Children under 17 are free.

The Tonaquint Nature Center, 1851 S. Dixie Drive, in St. George will serve as the base for festival activities. Visit www.sgcity.org/birdfestival for more information.

Brett Prettyman