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
Jackpot! Lifer Northern Pygmy-Owl with Prey
I went looking for a mammal species yesterday and dipped on them but hit the jackpot by getting a lifer bird, a Northern Pygmy-Owl and it had prey!
Wilson’s Phalarope Chick at Red Rock Lakes NWR
I was photographing a Wilson's Phalarope chick and it was in fact the youngest phalarope chick I had ever seen!
Camping on Public Lands in Clark County, Idaho
Good morning! I am writing this morning from a campsite that is on OUR Public Lands just outside the Targhee National Forest in Clark County, Idaho.
Juvenile Royal Terns on the Gulf Coast
When I lived in Florida I was able to see and photograph juvenile Royal Terns on the Gulf Coast were they could be seen along the shoreline and they were usually begging the adults for food.
Celebrating Seven Years in Utah – Photographing Birds, Wildlife and Scenery
My journey in life has taken me to many places and I'm glad that it brought me to Utah where I am enjoying photographing birds, wildlife and scenery. Seven years ago today.
New Genus for Sandhill Cranes
Another change that has officially occurred was that Sandhill Cranes were moved from the genus Grus to Antigone.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay – A Familiar Bird with a New Name
The long-awaited Scrub-Jay split has officially happened! Western Scrub-Jay can be crossed out in a our fields guides and the two new names California Scrub-Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay can be penciled in.
Uinta Ground Squirrels in the Uinta Mountains
One of the Uinta Ground Squirrels stood up and simply looked around right on the shoulder of the road and I couldn't resist photographing it.
Juvenile Loggerhead Shrike with a Robber Fly
When I took this image the juvenile Loggerhead Shrike was perched on a dead twig when the robber fly flew into the frame, the shrike took off after the fly and caught it in mid air.
Wood Duck Hen with Duckling
On the day I photographed this Wood Duck hen with her duckling the duckweed covered the surface.
American White Pelican in summer plumage
I wanted to share an image of an American White Pelican in summer plumage today because summer is upon us and today marks America's Independence Day.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Looking back over the last 20 years of my life I can see many times where I threw off the bowlines and sailed away from safe harbor.
Update on the Injured Short-eared Owl Fledgling
I'm so sorry this Short-eared Owl fledgling won't be released like the Barn Owl I helped to rescue in Montana but rescuing it from the barbed wire was still the right thing to do.
The State of North American Birds and its Not Good News
These four birds, an American Oystercatcher, a Greater Sage-Grouse, a Reddish Egret and a Mountain Plover are all facing the risk of extinction without serious conservation measures to reduce declines in populations and habitat destruction.
Mated Pair of Mourning Doves in Northern Utah
Last month while looking for owls in northern Utah I found a mated pair of Mourning Doves resting side by side on a barbed wire fence.
Red-naped Sapsuckers Feeding Chicks at a Nesting Cavity in the Uintas
Finding Red-naped Sapsuckers feeding chicks at a nesting cavity in the Uintas made my day!
Mallard Hen with Duckling at Bear River MBR
Because I was close I wasn't able to get a single image with all of the ducklings and the hen in the frame so I focused on the Mallard hen and with one duckling resting right behind her.
Great Blue Heron Flight Over North Beach
This Great Blue Heron was in flight over the north beach of Fort De Soto with dark Australian Pines in the background on a foggy morning.
Tattered Looking Molting Red-tailed Hawk
This time of the year I see plenty of molting Red-tailed Hawks and they can look pretty tattered, worn and shabby.
Fledgling Short-eared Owl Portraits
Yesterday I was able to take a series of fledgling Short-eared Owl portraits when this young owl perched on a metal post right next to a road in Box Elder County, Utah.
American Bison Dust Bath
The American Bison dust bath only lasted about one minute, I wish I could shower that fast some mornings!
Dreaming of Oystercatchers
Last night I spent some time dreaming of oystercatchers. I could hear them in my dream and see them scurrying along the waves.
Storm Clouds Over The Gulf Of Mexico
One August morning in 2008 when I was at Fort De Soto to photograph birds I couldn't resist taking a few images of storm clouds hanging over the Gulf of Mexico.
Trio of Red Fox Kits in Montana
In this photograph the trio of Red Fox kits were close together outside of the den and I liked how they appeared to be waiting for something.
Short-eared Owl Fledgling Barbed Wire Injury
Right after seeing the adult I also saw a fledgling Short-eared Eared Owl about 8 to 10 feet from the adult hung up on barbed wire.
Red-tailed Hawk Juvenile In Flight Over The Targhee National Forest
The Targhee National Forest is a wonderful place to find and photograph birds and wildlife including this Red-tailed Hawk juvenile in flight.
Male Cassin’s Finch in Clark County, Idaho
At times the male Cassin's Finch looked like he was on alert but I can't be sure why, it might have been because of the other finches nearby or that he was keeping an eye out for predators in the sky.
Resting Double-crested Cormorant at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
I spent the morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday and one of the birds I photographed the most was this resting Double-crested Cormorant.
American White Pelican Flight Over Bear River MBR
One of my favorite things is to see is squadrons of American White Pelicans wheeling in the sky high overhead circling until they are out of sight.
American Robin in the Targhee National Forest
I was trying to photograph flickers, wrens and sapsuckers in the Targhee National Forest of Idaho earlier this month when the American Robin in the photo above appeared and softly called.