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
American Pipits at Farmington Bay
American Pipits will soon be migrating through the Salt Lake Valley and I will hear their flight calls along the causeway to Antelope Island and the fields at Farmington Bay WMA.
Snowy Egret Landing at Farmington Bay WMA
Right after I photographed this Snowy Egret landing it started to chase after another egret that had a small fish and they both flew off with their backs to me.
Perched Sub-adult Swainson’s Hawk in Low Light
I've been meaning to post images of this sub-adult Swainson's Hawk in low light for about a year now and I am finally getting around to it.
Sounds of the Impending Arrival of Autumn – Canada Goose Calling in Flight
I photographed this Canada Goose calling in flight six years ago as it flew over Glover's Pond at Farmington Bay.
Colorful Sunset at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Watching a colorful sunset at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge fade to the darkness of night is a gift. A wonderful, priceless gift.
Update On The Short-eared Owl That I Helped To Rescue
I can now give another update on the Short-eared Owl, he will be going to Hawkwatch International in October to be used as an educational bird!
Great Horned Owl in the Marsh at Bear River MBR
Last month I wrote about how surprised I was to spot a Great Horned Owl in the marsh at Bear River MBR in northern Utah and said I would post more photos later, so here they are.
Wood Stork in Flight over Fort De Soto
When I lived in Florida there were times that I would see Wood Storks at Fort De Soto and once in a while I would get lucky and find them in flight.
Adult Red-tailed Hawk With An Ant
At the time I created this image I didn't realize that when I took this portrait of the adult Red-tailed Hawk that I also photographed an ant. Can you see it?
International Vulture Awareness Day 2016
Vultures and condors are scavengers and help to clean up the environment by consuming carrion, road kill and gut piles left from the kills of human and non-human hunters.
Gulf Shore Yellow-crowned Night Heron
I did see and photograph this adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron standing on a grassy sand dune overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in beautiful, soft light.
My Rare Upland Sandpiper Sighting in Utah
I got to find, point out, and photograph a rare Upland Sandpiper in Utah well out of its normal migration route and range, what a day. What a find
Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk in the Centennial Valley of Montana
Last year on September 8th I located an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk in the Centennial Valley of Montana early in the morning as it flew low to the ground looking for small birds to capture and consume.
Trumpeter Swans of Southwestern Montana
One of my favorite photo sessions of that trip last fall was an evening spent with the Trumpeter Swans of southwestern Montana in gorgeous evening light.
American Avocet Devouring a Tiny Crayfish
I was tickled to photograph this American Avocet as it fed but it wasn't until later that I knew it was devouring a tiny crayfish.
Red-naped Sapsucker Showing Its Tongue
I came across this image and realized that the Red-naped Sapsucker had its tongue stuck out and I hadn't noticed that before.
Young Short-eared Owls Calling, Begging and Lifting Off
I miss these young Short-eared Owls but I hope they are doing well and will return next year to breed and have young of their own.
Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures Plus a Covey of Gray Partridges
I spent time in northern Utah yesterday and I was able to photograph a juvenile Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures plus a covey of Gray Partridges.
Celebrating 100 Years of U.S. National Parks
Today marks the Centennial of our National Park Service and entry to our National Parks is free from August 24 through August 28 so that we can all enjoy the celebration.
Reddish Egret Hunting In The Gulf Of Mexico
I photographed this white morph Reddish Egret hunting in the Gulf of Mexico in June of 2008 and truly enjoyed observing its hunting behavior through my lens.
Adult and Juvenile Ring-billed Gulls
It will take several molts before this immature Ring-billed Gull looks like an adult but by now, a year after it was photographed, this juvenile should look more like the adult.
Utah’s Smoke Filled Skies From Antelope Island – Inversions Can Be Worse
The smoke-filled valley is ugly so yesterday I photographed Utah's smoke filled skies from Antelope Island State Park.
Solitary Sandpiper at Bear River MBR – Not All Range Maps Are The Same
I photographed this Solitary Sandpiper two days ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and saw several more and I also photographed a pair of them the week before.
Post-breeding Season Aggressive Behavior in American Avocets Plus a Bonus Great Horned Owl
I am unable to find information on line about why this male American Avocet attacked the female so aggressively but I can say that it was fascinating to see and photograph it.
Sleepy Great Horned Owl in Montana
I photographed this sleepy Great Horned Owl male sitting in a opening of the granary, he was probably exhausted from helping his mate raise their young.
In The City For Too Long
Maybe I have the summer doldrums. I am not sure, but I know I will be glad to get back out shooting again.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act 100th Anniversary
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has been monumentally successful and we need to insure that it continues and not allow the treaty to become weakened.
Roadside Short-eared Owl Female
I haven't been seeing the Short-eared Owls lately and that is most likely because their young are now on their own and they don't need to hunt as much because now they only need to feed themselves.
Great Egret Portrait
While walking the boardwalk at the small rookery I was able to get close to this Great Egret that was resting under the canopy of a large tree and took this portrait of it.
Eastern Kingbird Hawking Insects From A Fence In Northern Utah
Two days ago I was able to photograph an Eastern Kingbird hawking insects from a fence on my way out of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge