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
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.
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.