My Story Timeline
I write about the true stories behind my images and share them on my site. One day, I might write about birds; the next, about an insect; and the following day, I might focus on a specific location. Each of these stories revolves around nature, my connection to it, or my concerns about preserving our natural world. This journal primarily serves as a collection of factual accounts from my journeys in the field.
While my primary passion is for birds, since everything in nature is interconnected, I photograph everything and write about it all. My life has always been intertwined with nature, and I hope it always will be.
Best wishes,
Mia
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly On Lyreleaf Sage
Earlier this month, I photographed this Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly feeding on a plant I hadn't identified at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Focusing On Silver-spotted Skipper Butterflies
The last time I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge I spent some time focusing on Silver-spotted Skipper butterflies that were feeding on blooming clovers.
Resting American Bittern at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Nine days after finding a surprise American Bittern at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I found a bittern again in the same area of the refuge.
Blue-winged Teal Pair Lifting Off
Last week while sitting at Miner's Cove at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in my vehicle, I focused on a pair of Blue-winged Teal and caught the two of them lifting off from the water.
Male Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Earlier this week at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I had multiple butterflies in my viewfinder, including this gorgeous male Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly.
It’s Barred Owl Nesting Season At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Two days ago my dear friend Steve Creek called me while I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge to let me know about a Barred Owl that was out in the open.
Immature White-crowned Sparrow Molting In Oklahoma
Yesterday morning I had this immature White-crowned Sparrow in my viewfinder at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge long enough to realize she or he was molting.
Dark Morph Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail At Sequoyah NWR
At the end of March, I was tickled to have this dark morph female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in my viewfinder at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Surprise American Bittern At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
While I was driving near Miner's Cove at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yesterday, I saw and photographed a surprise American Bittern right after the bird crossed the dirt road.
Bullfrog Queen Wearing A Pondweed Crown
Last week while at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I found an American Bullfrog Queen wearing a delightful and delicate pondweed crown that made me laugh out loud.
Pied-billed Grebe Eating A Feather At Sequoyah NWR
On one of my recent trips to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge this week, I had fun photographing a Pied-billed Grebe eating a feather at Miner's Cove.
Pair Of Blue-winged Teal On A Log
On my most recent trip to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I photographed a pair of Blue-winged Teal on a log in Miner's Cove in soft morning light.
World Sparrow Day 2026 And Happy First Day Of Spring
World Sparrow Day started in 2010 as a way to honor and protect House Sparrows in their native range because they are declining there.
Water Droplet Covered Spider Web at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Like this spider web in the fog, those connections may seem delicate, but they’re stronger than they appear.
Brown Thrasher In A Thicket At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Normally I like my subjects out in the open, but yesterday this Brown Thrasher preferred hanging out in a roadside thicket at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Bald Eagles Mating In A Fog At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Yesterday was super foggy at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, but that didn't stop me from videoing mating Bald Eagles on a snag in the fog.
Black Vultures In A Field At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Last week I was delighted to come across two Black Vultures on the ground in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Ross’s Goose In A Flock Of Snow Geese
This Ross's Goose was in front of a large flock of Snow Geese last Friday at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, and I felt fortunate to have a clear view of the goose.
Hen Ring-necked Duck On Lower Scarborough Slough
Today I'm sharing a simple photo of a hen Ring-necked Duck swimming on Lower Scarborough Slough, taken yesterday at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Snow Geese and Red-winged Blackbird Flocks at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
On my recent trip to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, the subjects I focused on most were Snow Geese and Red-winged Blackbird flocks on the auto tour route.
Thousands Of Blackbirds At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Yesterday I spent some time with thousands, and thousands, of blackbirds on the auto tour route of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge just as the sun came over the horizon.
Blue Morph Snow Geese in Flight at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Yesterday I photographed these two Blue morph Snow Geese flying over Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Male Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco In A Snowstorm
This morning, I'm sharing a simple male Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco photo I took one week ago during a snowstorm. The junco was waiting his turn to feed.
Low Light White-throated Sparrow In A Snow Drift
This White-throated Sparrow barely shows themself, tucked behind a soft ridge of snow like they knew exactly how to work the scene.
Snowy Dark-eyed Junco Close Ups
Two days ago, during Winter Storm Fern, I was able to sit outside and photograph snowy Dark-eyed Junco close ups; sometimes they were even too close.
Red-shouldered Hawk In A Snow Storm In Oklahoma
One of the first birds I photographed during recent Winter Storm Fern was an adult Red-shouldered Hawk in a tree across the street while it was snowing hard.
Foraging Fox Sparrow In Snow In Arkansas
Conditions this morning are similar to when I photographed this Fox Sparrow last year in my friend Steve Creek’s yard during a snow storm last January.
Beaver Lodge, Canada Geese, And A Great Blue Heron At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Earlier this month, I stopped at Lower Scarborough Slough to photograph the beaver lodge and surrounding forest, and also got Canada Geese and a Great Blue Heron in my photos.
Male Northern Cardinal With Breakfast
Earlier this month, I photographed this adult male Northern Cardinal in the yard as he came in to snatch a suet ball for breakfast in front of a River Birch.
Immature White-crowned Sparrow In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Late last week, while driving through a forested area of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I was delighted to photograph an immature White-crowned Sparrow.