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
Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May – Satisfying my Owl Obsession
I am thoroughly enjoying photographing Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May and satisfying my owl obsession.
An Exceptionally Obliging Turkey Vulture In Box Elder County
I found an exceptionally obliging Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County warming up in the morning sun.
Short-eared Owls – Nomadic and Enchanting
This year I've seen far more Short-eared Owls in Utah than I have since I moved here in 2009 and I've been enjoying photographing these nomadic and enchanting owls for over a month.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl Balancing Act
I photographed this juvenile Burrowing Owl balancing act last year in northern Utah not long after the sun came up
Harlequin Faced Lark Sparrows
The harlequin faced Lark Sparrows are unique, easily identified and quite striking for sparrows which are known for being "little brown jobs".
Wet Chukar On Top Of A Lichen Covered Boulder
The first bird I photographed yesterday morning was a wet Chukar on top of a lichen covered boulder about the time the sun rose above the clouds and mountains to the east.
Gulf Shore Great Egret With A Loose Head Feather
This might be the only image I have in my portfolio that shows a Great Egret with a loose head feather waving above its head at a jaunty angle.
Back-brooding Western Grebes
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a great location to consistently see back-brooding Western Grebes during the breeding season and it can be done easily from the auto tour loop.
Male Black-necked Stilt foraging at Bear River MBR
I took a series of images of this male Black-necked Stilt foraging in some very shallow water that showed the red of his eyes and those long, long legs.
Migrating House Wren at Bear River MBR
Last August I was a bit surprised to see a House Wren at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge from the auto tour loop around the marshes there.
Northern Flicker Nesting Cavity
I photographed my favorite nesting tree in the Targhee National Forest and this Northern Flicker nesting cavity.
Flying Northern Harrier in a Post-defecation Pose
So just as I focus on the on the bird he decides to defecate in flight and my image shows the Northern Harrier in a post-defecation pose.
Spring Black-tailed Jackrabbits
I adore the Black-tailed Jackrabbits I see on Antelope Island State Park for their huge caramel colored eyes, long ears and their soft looking fur.
Franklin’s Gull and Laughing Gull Comparison
I know this isn't a complete Franklin's Gull and Laughing Gull comparison but I'm not a scientist, just a bird photographer and bird lover.
Red-tailed Hawk Lift Off with Nesting Material in Northern Utah
I am not sure why the Red-tailed Hawk lifted off with nesting material in its bill from the nest, maybe the hawk felt that piece of nesting material wasn't suitable.
Trio of Greater Yellowlegs
When I photographed this trio of Great Yellowlegs in Florida I didn't have to worry about how far away they were, in fact at times they moved too close to me
Black Skimmer Skimming the Gulf
My own technique for photographing this Black Skimmer skimming the Gulf and other skimmers that day was to sit down in the water right where the waves crested and moved on shore.
Camouflaged Wilson’s Plover Chick
I knew where this camouflaged Wilson's Plover chick was when I photographed it from a distance but realized that if I didn't point out that there was a chick in the image that other people might not even know it was there.
The Day My Short-eared Owl Obsession Began
Six years ago today I photographed my first Short-eared Owl in low light at Bear River MBR and it was the day my obsession and fascination with these beautiful owls began.
Lark Sparrow Facts
I thought I would share a few Lark Sparrow facts, a sound recording and of course an image of a Lark Sparrow on the ground.
Western Meadowlark Bathing In A Puddle
Yesterday I was able to photograph a Western Meadowlark bathing in a puddle in a gravel road on Antelope Island State Park under mostly sunny skies.
Breeding Season for Killdeer at Bear River MBR
It is breeding season for Killdeer at Bear River MBR and for all of Utah.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge White-faced Ibis
For weeks I have been seeing White-faced Ibis fly overs and yesterday I had my first opportunity to photograph them for the year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Two Bald Headed Birds – Roseate Spoonbill & Turkey Vulture
Two bald headed birds, but very different in appearance, one is a vulture who cleans up the earth and the other a wading bird with pink and carmine plumage.
Male Long-billed Curlew on Antelope Island
The Long-billed Curlews on Antelope Island are fascinating subjects to photograph and observe or anywhere for that matter.
Cliff Face and a Banking Red-tailed Hawk
This banking Red-tailed Hawk is one of the pair that are busy building their nest and making nearby forays to find nesting materials.
Yellow-bellied Marmot Next to its Burrow
Finding a Yellow-bellied Marmot next to its burrow in northern Utah yesterday was a real treat for me especially since it stuck around for a bit.
Adult Intermediate Morph Swainson’s Hawk
This Swainson's Hawk was right next to the road the entire time I photographed it and I was able to get a series of it it where the hawk nearly filled the frame from top to bottom.
Curlews, Willets and Chukars
I photographed Long-billed Curlews, Willets and Chukars along with a few other birds and a Pronghorn buck. It was a beautiful spring day.
A Fort De Soto Snowy Plover
This Gulf Coast Snowy Plover was photographed at Fort De Soto County Park in Florida and the park was the first place I had ever photographed this species.