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
American Bullfrogs – Green Invaders from the East
American Bullfrogs are an invasive species here in Utah and I have noticed that I am seeing them more often at Farmington Bay WMA than I have in the past.
Female American Kestrel at Farmington Bay
Male American Kestrels usually grab the show with their bright colors and bold patterns but I think the females are equally as stunning.
Hovering Harrier – Head Down and Eyes on the Ground
I photographed this hovering Northern Harrier several years ago at Farmington Bay Water Fowl Management Area as it scanned the ground below for prey.
Tricolored Heron Fishing & Fluffing in the Gulf of Mexico
Seven years ago I could be found most often walking along the Gulf of Mexico at Fort De Soto County Park's north beach in search of birds to photograph.
American White Pelican In A Fog At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
This American White Pelican image was taken on my first camping trip to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Keeping An Eye On The Sky For Rough-legged Hawks
It is early October but I am already starting to get excited about seeing my first of the season Rough-legged Hawks.
Greater Scaup drake in Autumn
Last autumn I was able to get up close to a drake Greater Scaup at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I'm hoping that I see more of them this year.
Bison Bulls Fighting In The Snow And Missing My Camera Blues
This photo of Bison bulls fighting in the snow on Antelope Island State Park was taken the end of December 2014 with the Nikon D810 using a high ISO because it was so dreary that morning
Flying Wild And Free Again – The American Barn Owl Was Released Yesterday
I wanted to let all of my viewers know that yesterday the Barn Owl I helped rescue on September 9th in the Centennial Valley was released at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Drake Northern Pintail at Farmington Bay on a January Day
I've been thinking about this upcoming winter wondering if we will get a normal amount of snow and of course about the birds I will see on cold mornings at Farmington Bay.
What Is In The Background Of An Image Can Enhance Or Distract
In bird photography what is in the background can enhance or distract the eye from the main subject.
It Is Good To Realize…
It wasn't very birdy yesterday on Antelope Island State Park but the views were spectacular and I simply felt good to be alive surrounded by the beauty.
American Pipits
American Pipits were known for a long time as Water Pipits because they feed at the edge of tundra puddles and wet alpine meadows.
Greater Yellowlegs at Farmington Bay
I've been able to photograph several shorebird species the past week and although Greater Yellowlegs are common at Farmington Bay WMA I still think they are quite lovely.
A Lifer for Me – Pectoral Sandpiper at Farmington Bay WMA
It isn't every day that I add a lifer to the list of shorebirds I have seen and photographed but yesterday I did when I saw and photographed a Pectoral Sandpiper.
Snowy Egrets at Farmington Bay
Farmington Bay's Snowy Egrets were the birds I photographed most yesterday because they were cooperative and because they were active, very active.
The First Day of Autumn and the Heat is On in Utah
After a long, hot summer I always look forward to the first day of autumn because it usually means cooler temperatures along with the scenery becoming more colorful as the leaves begin to turn.
I Need To Get A Grip – Really I Do On My Nikon D810
Yesterday I noticed that the rubber grip on my Nikon D810 memory card door has loosened up on a camera that is only 13 months old.
Redhead Drake at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
The Redheads at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are getting closer to being in their breeding plumage which they normally show from October through June.
Fishing American White Pelican at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
This American White Pelican image was taken in July near the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I like how it shows the pelican fishing for food.
Stopped For A Buck In The Road
Yesterday morning I photographed this Pronghorn buck in the road near Ladyfinger Point on Antelope Island State Park as he stood next to the double yellow lines.
Trumpeter Swan Cygnets and Preening, Pin Feathers and Molt
In my last post on the Trumpeter Swan Cygnets On Elk Lake I mentioned that the cygnets spent a lot of time preening and part of the reason they do is they are molting.
Crepuscular Rays and Watercolor Skies at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
My focus is usually birds and animals but as many of you know I also can't resist taking images of the beautiful views I see such as these two views of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge last week.
Juvenile Swainson’s Hawk stretching its wings
I had wanted to post this photo of a juvenile Swainson's Hawk last week from Montana but because my cell signal was so cruddy I didn't get this image uploaded.
Northern Flicker On A Fence Post In The Centennial Valley
Early on the second morning when I was in Montana last week I was able to photograph this male Northern Flicker on the side and top of a weathered fence post.
Swainson’s Hawk Juvenile Jumping To A New Perch
I photographed a Swainson's Hawk family for several mornings while I was in Montana and this is one of the juveniles I focused on.
Centennial Valley Merlin
I don't often have the opportunity to photograph Merlins so I was plenty excited to find one yesterday on the South Valley Road in the Centennial Valley that stuck around for a bit!
Trumpeter Swan Cygnets On Elk Lake
I am totally enamored by Trumpeter Swans, they are not only graceful and beautiful but the adults seem like such caring parents and keep an ever watchful eye on their young.
A Swainson’s Hawk missed prey hand off
I sat with some juvenile Swainson's Hawks yesterday morning for quite some time and it eventually paid off when an adult came in to hand off prey but the young hawk missed.
A Tragic Sight To See – American Barn Owl Caught On Barb Wire
Yesterday morning I saw a sight that made me ill to see and that is a Barn Owl hung up on a barb wire fence on the south side of the Centennial Valley.