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
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!
Piping Plover On A Shell Covered Beach In Florida
I took this image of the Piping Plover on a shell covered beach right after the sun came up when the light had that sweet golden tone to it
Male Brewer’s Blackbird Portrait
I was able to take this male Brewer's Blackbird portrait as it perched next to the road that shows the iridescent colors in his plumage quite nicely.
Time For The Black-billed Magpie Nest Building Ballet
I know I am looking forward to photographing and watching the Black-billed Magpie nest building ballet that occurs each spring.
A Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow Photobombing an Adult
I ended up capturing an image of a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow photobombing the adult just a few frames later.
Female Horned Lark on a February morning
Yesterday I took a few images of a Horned Lark male singing on Antelope Island State Park and it reminded me that I hadn't posted this image of a female Horned Lark that I photographed last year.
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron Stalking Prey
Last August I was able to spend time observing and photographing this juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron stalking prey at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Juvenile Female Northern Harrier In A Field Of Snow
At the end of January there was a nice, clear morning at Farmington Bay WMA and I spotted a juvenile female Northern Harrier in a field of snow next to the road who was a cooperative subject.
Calico Heart on a Shell Covered Beach
As much as I loved the beaches in Florida it felt symbolic to find a Calico heart on the sandy shore of the Gulf.
Adult and juvenile White-faced Ibis
I thought a comparison of adult and juvenile White-faced Ibis might be interesting for those of you who aren't familiar with this western species of ibis.
Snowy Egrets of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
The Snowy Egrets of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge never fail to delight me with their bright white plumage, golden feet, bright yellow lores and feathery plumes.
I Went Looking for a Snowy Owl and Got American Barn Owls in Flight
I went looking for a Snowy Owl and got Barn Owls in flight instead at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Bathing Common Merganser at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
There isn't much open water right now but in a few places where it is open it attracts waterfowl including this bathing Common Merganser male in breeding plumage.
American Barn Owls in Winter
I am always grateful to see Barn Owls in winter and to be able to photograph them in sweet light is a delight.
An American Kestrel attacking a Red-tailed Hawk – How I Messed Up This Shot
It isn't every day that I have the opportunity to photograph an American Kestrel attacking a Red-tailed Hawk in the air, in fact this would have been my best opportunity.
An Alert Spotted Sandpiper in Nonbreeding Plumage
This alert Spotted Sandpiper was photographed at Fort De Soto County Park in January of 2009 as it walked down some rip rap towards the water.
Juvenile Northern Harrier In A Fog At Farmington Bay
I did spot a juvenile Northern Harrier in the fog resting on a clump of vegetation in the snow covered field on the east side of the road and took a few images of it.
Western Grebe in late Summer
I took this image of a Western Grebe in late Summer last year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when the marsh vegetation has started to turn gold and mornings had begun to feel crisp and invigorating.
Mountain Cottontail on Antelope Island State Park
I had to share at least one image of this Mountain Cottontail on Antelope Island State Park that showed its little, fluffy white tail, after all that is where they get part of their name.
Winter California Gull at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Ring-billed and California Gulls are the typical gulls I find in Utah so it wasn't much of a surprise to find this California Gull at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Whirlpool of Feeding Northern Shovelers on the Great Salt Lake
It is interesting to see this whirlpool effect of Northern Shovelers on the surface of the Great Salt Lake and to hear the sounds of their bills dabbling in the water.
Dunlin Running Along The Shore Of The Gulf
This Dunlin was just about finished molting into its breeding plumage and would have soon been on its way to the Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra to breed and raise its young.