Scissortail flycatchers are a species of king birds native to the southern great plains of North America. Often seen perched on barbed wire fences, they are fiercely protective of their nests. They are known for their long tails, which look like open scissors when they fly.

Their uniquely long tail steadies them in the wind and enables them to perform amazing aerial acrobatics. In their “sky dance”, they climb as high as 100 feet into the air, then dive down in a zig-zag course, changing speed and direction abruptly and even somersaulting.

Just as the scissortail uses its unique tail in flight, people draw on their inherent wisdom, attributes and abilities to fly their own “sky dance.”

 We often perform spectacular feats when life circumstances and love require heroic adjustments, redirections and seemingly impossible somersaults while in free fall. Incredibly, in the midst of storms, loss and grief, some of our most beautiful dances are cast against the darkest of skies.