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
Kelvin-Helmholtz Wave Clouds Over the Wasatch Mountains
Seeing the Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds over the Wasatch Mountains as viewed from the south end of Antelope Island State Park made my day
Uinta and Richardson’s Ground Squirrels
By doing more research I found out that Uinta and Richardson's Ground Squirrels and the rest of the ground squirrels in North America have been changed to Urocitellus.
Molting Immature White-crowned Sparrows
April in northern Utah is a good time to see and photograph molting immature White-crowned Sparrows.
Sage Thrasher Wing Flutter
I came across this image yesterday that I took one day shy of a year ago while looking for another image in my files and thought that I would post it today because I like the wing position.
Short-eared Owl Nictitating Membrane
This image shows a Short-eared Owl nictitating membrane that is partially exposed. The dark line near the center of the eye is the edge of the nictitating membrane.
Startled Horned Lark
While I was focused on the lark a small bird; presumably a sparrow, zoomed past and I captured an image of a startled Horned Lark who reacted by raising his wings and calling while he moved down the rock a bit.
First Spring Red-winged Blackbird Males
Yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I was able to photograph several first spring Red-winged Blackbird males.
An Adult Forster’s Tern Hovering Over Prey
When I photographed this Forster's Tern hovering over prey there were several others in the area doing the same thing which makes it difficult to decide on which bird to photograph.
First Spring Northern Harrier in Box Elder County
I was able to take quite a few images of a very cooperative first spring Northern Harrier that was perched on an old post next to the road in Box Elder County.
Low Light American Bison Bull Portraits
I was able to take a very nice series of low light American Bison bull portraits despite the lack of clear skies and sunshine on Antelope Island.
More Owls, Turkey Vultures Plus A Third Year Bald Eagle
I mentioned in my post about Short-eared Owls yesterday that I saw Burrowing Owls, Turkey Vultures and a third year Bald Eagle juvenile in northern Utah so I thought I would share a few more images form the northern Utah excursion.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owls
Yesterday it was the northern Utah Short-eared Owls that made me so very glad that I am a bird photographer and that for a little while I am part of their world.
Male Yellow-headed Blackbird Portrait
I was able to take this male Yellow-headed Blackbird portrait because the bird seemed more intent on catching midges than being nervous about me.
American Bison Bull Grazing On Fresh Grass
Seeing this Bison bull grazing on fresh grass isn't an unusual occurrence for me because I see them so often on Antelope Island but I also realize that there are quite a few people who haven't had the pleasure of seeing them in the wild like I do.
Sage Thrasher and Lark Sparrow on Rabbitbrush
This Sage Thrasher and Lark Sparrow on rabbitbrush are only two of the birds that benefit from the rabbitbrush on Antelope Island.
Great Blue Herons Expelling Bile? (Graphic)
I have only seen and photographed these two Great Blue Herons expelling bile in Florida and Utah. I wonder how often this occurs.
Clark’s Grebes Return to Northern Utah
I always enjoy when the Clark's Grebes return to northern Utah and hope that this year I will be able to photograph their weed ceremony or them rushing.
Antelope Island Chukars – From Chicks to Adults
Antelope Island Chukars don't just attract out of town visitors to the island, they still call in locals like myself to see, hear and photograph them.
Adult Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot
I was able to take images of a Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot further south next to the road near the foothills of the Promontory Mountains.
Adult Western Kingbird Close Up
This adult Western Kingbird close up was photographed two years ago on Antelope Island State Park as it perched on a sign post close to a nest site.
Cliff Swallow Nesting Season at Bear River MBR
More of the swallows will migrate to the refuge very soon and the Cliff Swallow nesting season will start.
Mallard Drake Portrait Salt Lake County, Utah
I was able to take a Mallard drake portrait of one of the ducks that were close and loved how this showed the blue green iridescence.
Mountain Bluebird Plumage Development Stages
These images from different times of the year show Mountain Bluebird plumage development stages from not long after fledging to adulthood.
Update on my Nikon D810 and a Red Rock Lakes NWR Sunrise
I wanted to post an image with my D810 update instead of having a white page with just text. This photo of a Red Rock Lakes NWR sunrise is one that that I created on the last day of my last trip to Montana last year.
A First Day of Spring Western Grebe
I eagerly anticipate the birds that arrive with spring including an early spring Western Grebe who will soon be courting and rushing at the refuge.
A Dead D810 and a Killdeer in a burned area of Bear River MBR
After they burn the phragmites it doesn't take long for life to go back to normal for some of the birds like this Killdeer in a burned area.
Chukars Above The Great Salt Lake
Both of these Chukars above the Great Salt Lake were photographed on the east side of Antelope Island State Park this month.
Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
These images of a Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge were taken last September on the auto tour route at the refuge.
Yellow-bellied Marmots at Capitol Reef National Park
The highlight of my morning yesterday was photographing two Yellow-bellied Marmots at Capitol Reef National Park.
West Desert Horned Lark in Golden Light
This West Desert Horned Lark in golden light was taken in the foothills of the Stansbury Mountains of Tooele County on a clear morning last month.