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
Burrowing Owls And American Robins – Nearly The Same Size But Two Very Different Birds
Burrowing Owls and American Robins are about the same size but they are two very different species of birds.
Male Yellow Warbler and Aspens in the Uinta National Forest
Yellow Warblers are so bright it is not hard to see them as they flit around gleaning insects from the trees in the Uinta National Forest.
Young Sage Thrasher Hiding In Sage
There are loads of young Sage Thrashers on Antelope Island at the moment so it seems their first broods were fairly successful.
Adult Lark Sparrow with Prey
Lark Sparrows are the easiest sparrows to identify that inhabit Antelope Island State Park with their bold facial patterns and white edged tails.
Tree Swallow Defending Its Nest Photo In Memory Of A Great Friend
I'm posting this Tree Swallow image that was taken at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in memory of a great friend, Rohn McKee.
Burrowing Owl Juvenile Taking A Dive
When I looked at this Burrowing Owl image on my monitor I had to chuckle because in a strange way it reminded me of myself when I first dove off of a 10 meter platform and how my toes were the last to let go.
Long-billed Curlew With Its Head All Twisted Around
Owls are well known for being able to turn their heads 270 degrees, Long-billed Curlews aren't.
Pair of Swainson’s Hawks in Beaverhead County, Montana
I am itching to get back out in the field with Swainson's Hawks partly because they are handsome raptors and partly because by now there might be some young that have fledged.
Shades of Blue and a Willet Too
As we go into a holiday weekend filled with loud noises and flashes of fireworks I wanted to share something more peaceful, a simple image of a Willet walking on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico.
Use of Decoys for Colonial-nesting Seabirds and the Need for Protected Nesting Areas
On an extremely hot April day I was out on Egmont Key for a Florida Master Naturalist class and from a distance I thought I saw some Black Skimmers and Least Terns resting on a beach but they turned out to be decoys.
Bundle of Western Burrowing Owls
I thought I would share some images I have taken of Western Burrowing Owls that I took over several days spent with them in Box Elder County, Utah.
Swainson’s Hawk in Box Elder County
I am always happy to photograph Swainson's Hawks no matter where I find them so I was pleased to find this one perched on a lichen covered rock yesterday in Box Elder County, Utah.
Trio Of Brown Birds from Antelope Island
The heat of summer has turned the green grasses brown on Antelope Island State Park so I thought I'd share some of the "brown birds" I photographed there yesterday.
Snowy View of Antelope Island State Park’s Mountains to Cool Off on a Hot June Day
I am going to brave the heat today and head to Antelope Island State Park to see if there are any birds around that aren't hiding in the shade or panting with their bills open.
American Robin near Modoc Creek, Idaho
In early May I found this American Robin perched near Modoc Creek, Idaho and I liked the simplicity of of the background and the robin's pose.
Spotted Sandpiper in the Targhee National Forest
These Spotted Sandpiper images are from my last trip to Idaho and were taken near a creek in the Targhee National Forest.
More Fun with Burrowing Owls and the Dangers of Barbed Wire
I spent yesterday morning photographing Burrowing Owls in northern Utah again and while most of it was fun there was something I found that broke my heart.
Snowy Egret in breeding plumage at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Mornings this time of the year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are cool, delightful and early on the subjects can appear to glow from the soft light like this Snowy Egret.
Morning Spent At A Burrowing Owl Burrow
Last week I posted an image of Burrowing Owl siblings that I found in northern Utah and today I am posting images of that burrow after spending yesterday morning being delighted by them once more.
Pronghorn Fawns Cause Me Cuteness Overload
I can't resist Pronghorn fawns, well maybe I can, but I don't want to and won't! I saw three fawns close together yesterday on Antelope Island State Park and they put me into cuteness overload.
Happy Father’s Day 2015
To all the wonderful, deserving Dad's out there I'd like to wish you a Happy Father's Day!
Red-tailed Hawk Just After Lift Off
This Red-tailed Hawk image was taken last week in the Centennial Valley of Montana just after the hawk lifted off from a power pole.
Sibling Burrowing Owls
Yesterday while wandering around in northern Utah I spotted an adult and then 5 sibling Burrowing Owls also showed up to perch on an old fence line.
Willet Close Ups
There was a very cooperative Willet on Antelope Island Yesterday that was close to a road and perched in sweet light and I couldn't resist taking portraits of this lovely shorebird.
Uinta Ground Squirrels of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Uinta Ground Squirrels are the most plentiful mammals I see during the summer months in the Centennial Valley.
Wilson’s Phalarope And A Midge At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
On my recent trip to Idaho and Montana I didn't have many opportunities with Wilson's Phalaropes except for one at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge's Lower Lake.
Field of Wildflowers and a Sandhill Crane in the Centennial Valley
I always think of Sandhill Cranes whenever my thoughts drift to the Centennial Valley of Montana where I always hear their calls, see them in the fields or in flight over the marshes.
The Demise of the Magical Sapsucker Tree and the Luck of Finding More Nesting Cavity Trees
I am heart-broken about losing the Magical Sapsucker Tree but I am glad to have found a few more where the chicks are thriving and are safe so far.
Wonderful Photo Session with a White-crowned Sparrow
Yesterday was bright and sunny in the Centennial Valley and after hearing this White-crowned Sparrow singing I felt like breaking out in song too.
Cassin’s Finches of the Centennial Valley of Montana
Cassin's Finch males look to me like they have been dipped in raspberry juice and that color is very vibrant especially in sweet light.