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
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.
Peregrine Falcon In Flight In Front Of A Sandstone Cliff Face
I was able to photograph this Peregrine Falcon in flight in front of a brightly colored sandstone cliff face with the light of the setting sun on it. I was delighted.
Western Meadowlark Take Off Photo
Yesterday I found this Western Meadowlark take off photo that I took last year on Antelope Island State Park.
Merlin in Southwestern Montana
Last September I was able to observe and photograph a Merlin in southwestern Montana over a period of several days.
Sora In The Centennial Valley Of Montana
Last year I had the pleasure of photographing this nonbreeding Sora in the Centennial Valley of Montana.
Juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR
Last year in mid August I photographed a very cooperative juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR and realized I hadn't posted any images of the bird or written about my encounter with it.
Turkey Vultures Are Nature’s Clean Up Crew
Turkey Vultures are Nature's clean up crew. They consume road kill and other dead animals and and in doing so they clean up the messy stuff.
An Immature Black-billed Magpie in Flight
I photographed this immature Black-billed Magpie in flight last September on Antelope Island State Park as it flew over a rabbitbrush that was just about to bloom.
Western and Eastern Kingbird Juveniles
I feel fortunate that I am able to see and photograph both the Western and Eastern Kingbird juveniles here in northern Utah.
Two Loggerhead Shrike Juveniles On A Log
These two Loggerhead Shrike juveniles on a log were photographed last August on Antelope Island and were probably from a second brood.
Pair of Sandhill Cranes Calling in Flight
I was photographing a pair of cranes foraging on the ground when a pair of Sandhill Cranes calling in flight flew over and I took a series of images of them.
Sage Thrasher in Golden Light
I didn't get to see Greater Sage Grouse on my recent trip to southern Utah but I did get a few brief looks at another sagebrush obligate when a single Sage Thrasher popped up into view.
Adult Golden Eagle Perched and in Flight
I was able to get a few images of a Golden Eagle yesterday morning as it perched on some huge, ancient boulders in early morning light.
Pair of Sandhill Cranes in Wayne County
My life is great whenever I can photograph a pair of Sandhill Cranes wherever I find them and yesterday I had these beauties in my viewfinder.
The Long-billed Curlew Scores
This pose made me think "The Long-billed Curlew Scores" but he was really just exhibiting a territorial response to another curlew that was nearby
Greater Sage-Grouse, White-tailed Prairie Dogs and the Sagebrush Steppe
A short trip to look for Greater Sage-Grouse, White-tailed Prairie Dogs and the other birds and animals that call the sagebrush steppe their home.
Short-eared Owl in Tooele County, Utah
It has been a while since I photographed this Short-eared Owl in Tooele County at the James W. Fitzgerald WMA
Loggerhead Shrikes – Different Backgrounds and Light
Both of these Loggerhead Shrikes were photographed on Antelope Island State Park, both of them are adults, both were photographed when the sky was clear and both were perched on a dead twig of a greasewood but they were also photographed with different backgrounds, different times of the morning and different light.
Marsh Wren Nesting Season Begins Soon
The males will start singing before too long and the Marsh Wren nesting season in Utah will begin.
Tundra Swans Lifting Off from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Watching and photographing the Tundra Swans lifting off from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday was slightly bittersweet for me because I know they will soon be heading north to mate.
Mule Deer Yearling On The Foothills Of The Stansbury Mountains
There were a number of yearlings in the herd including this Mule Deer yearling that was on a slight ridge who appeared to be looking right at me.
Western Bluebirds in Tooele County, Utah
Seeing these uncommon Western Bluebirds in Tooele County in the Stansbury Mountain Range yesterday is part of why I love bird photography so much.
Female Belted Kingfisher and Her Rattling Call
Yesterday I had my first opportunity to photograph a nearby female Belted Kingfisher in Salt Lake County, Utah and I had fun getting to know her.
Barn Swallow In A Fog At Red Rock Lakes NWR, Montana
I had forgotten about photographing this Barn Swallow in a fog at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge until I was going through my archives yesterday.
Red-breasted Nuthatch at an Idaho Nesting Site
Seeing and photographing this Red-breasted Nuthatch was such a thrill for me that I want a repeat performance!