Black-billed Magpie in flightBlack-billed Magpie in flight

Raising the glass attached to my camera that is! I’m excited about the photographic opportunities that will present themselves in 2015. For a few more weeks I will be photographing winter birds and snowy critters but when March arrives I’ll be photographing some of the early nesting birds like this Black-billed Magpie taken as the bird flew away from the nest it was constructing on Antelope Island State Park. Some people think they are pests but I think they are wonderful, graceful in flight and smart.

House Wren portrait, Targhee National Forest, Clark County, IdahoHouse Wren portrait

I hope to spend more time photographing little birds like this House Wren photographed in Clark County, Idaho in May. I also hope that my hawk-eyes stays with me because without it I never would have spotted and pointed out these small birds constructing their nest in a tree that also housed lifer birds for me, a pair of Williamson’s Sapsuckers.

Moose calf in Idaho, Targhee National Forest, Clark CountyMoose calf in Idaho

I hope to see more Moose. More Coyotes, more bears and many more furry creatures. Living in the west gives me plenty of opportunities for photographing wildlife but I would always love more. This Moose calf and its mother were a delight to see and photograph in the Targhee National Forest in Idaho in July.

Portrait of a juvenile Swainson's HawkPortrait of a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk

And of course I would love to see and photograph tons of raptors and owls. This beautiful light morph Swainson’s Hawk juvenile was a very cooperative subject as it perched on a fence in Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana in September which was a camping trip where I saw lows of 11°F.  Brr.

The photos are always a delight to create but one of the best things about doing what I do is spending time in nature with all the great views, animals and birds I see.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2015 be your best yet.

Life is good.

Mia