
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
Pretty but Problematic: The Bradford Pear Tree
On the first of May I took a series of blossoming Bradford Pear tree images. I've been meaning to do that for years to show that they are pretty, but...
Double-crested Cormorant With A Tiger Trout
At the end of April, while photographing an Osprey and Caspian Terns, I also found a Double-crested Cormorant swallowing a Tiger Trout close to home.
Female Great-tailed Grackle Portraits
On the last day of April, I had a bit of good luck when a female Great-tailed Grackle walked so close to me at a local pond that I could take portraits of her.
Spring Caspian Tern Photos Plus A Bonus Osprey Image
At the end of last month, I had the pleasure of taking Caspian Tern photos as these terns were flying and fishing at my local pond.
Springtime Grebe And Avocet Portraits
This morning I am sharing two springtime portraits that I took last week at Bear River MBR. The first is a Western Grebe, the second, an American Avocet.
Milestone: Eight Years of Daily Posts Celebration
Another year has gone by, and today, I am celebrating a milestone at On The Wing Photography. Eight years of posts without missing a day.
Urban Male Yellow-headed Blackbird Portraits
While I was at my local pond yesterday, a male Yellow-headed Blackbird flew in close enough to me that I was able to take a few portraits of him.
American Coots Fighting – Pond Pugilists
While I was at my local pond three days ago, I took my best-to-date images of fighting American Coots. I had a blast and laughed a lot while I took them.
Osprey Lifting Off After Missing Prey
I had great fun photographing this Osprey lifting off from an unsuccessful dive for prey two days ago. It was definitely a challenge and I will explain why.
Drake Ruddy Duck And His Sky Blue Bill
Yesterday morning, I had a real treat photographing a drake Ruddy Duck close to home. He was in his most dapper breeding plumage, including his sky blue bill.
Surprise Grasshopper Sparrow at Bear River MBR
After a rough start to my week, I very much needed some time out in nature yesterday morning. Nature, in turn, gifted me with a surprise Grasshopper Sparrow.
Missing My Time In The Mountains
I have been missing springtime in the mountains. There is so much snow up there from this past winter that most of the mountain roads I use are still closed.
Common Loon – Seeing Red
This morning I'm sharing a Common Loon photo that I took two days ago. I enjoy how the red eyes of the loon were echoed in the reflections on the water.
One Ticked Off Looking American White Pelican
When I photographed this ticked off looking American White Pelican yesterday I laughed out loud. Why? Because I was kind of feeling ticked off myself.
Female Great-tailed Grackle Iris Variation
While I photographed Common Loons at my local park this month I also took some female Great-tailed Grackle images and today I am sharing two of them.
Migrating Common Loon Photos
I went through more of the Common Loon photos that I have taken since the beginning of this month. I wanted to share more images of these beautiful birds.
My First Of Season Turkey Vulture Images
I took my first Turkey Vulture images of the season two days ago. That is later than usual for me, but this spring hasn't been normal at all.
I’m Lichen This Say’s Phoebe
I photographed this Say's Phoebe yesterday morning way up in northern Utah. There were actually two of the phoebes in the area but this one came in the closest.
Fishing Line Is A Dangerous Nesting Material
All across the country it is nesting season for many North American birds. For some nesting birds it is also a very dangerous time because of fishing line.
Dark And Moody Common Loon Photos
The dark and moody nature of the Common Loon has made this bird species a popular subject of mythology and folklore.
California Quail Male On The Run
It was windy yesterday morning so I went for a walk at a local park. Before I even turned off my Jeep I could hear several California Quail calling.
Spring American White Pelican Photos
This collection of American White Pelican photos were taken starting the 6th of April. Some of the images show the snow from a snowstorm earlier this month.
Crazy About Common Loons
Yesterday morning I didn't go out looking for Common Loons. But I found two and they were fighting, calling, preening and getting up close and personal with me.
Landing Double-crested Cormorant Reflections
Last Sunday, when April and I were photographing birds together, I took images of this adult Double-crested Cormorant landing on funky reflections.
Leucistic American Coot Photos
Over the past four months I wanted closer, better photos of the leucistic American Coot that I found on January 2nd. My patience and persistence paid off.
More Urban Common Loon Photos
I had two mornings to photograph a Common Loon at a local pond. These photos are from the second morning and they show more action from the striking loon.
City Dwelling Rock Squirrel Surprise
Two days ago when I was at a local park with my friend and yours, April Olson, I spotted a Rock Squirrel. Then I saw three more nearby and I had to take photos.
Mix Of Urban Birds Close To Home
This mix of urban birds were taken over a two day period close to home. Birds, no matter where they are, bring me joy, happiness, and even laughter.
Great-tailed Grackle Photos After a Spring Snowstorm
Taking Great-tailed Grackle photos after our recent spring snowstorm was fun. I had never seen photos of this species in the snow before I took these.
Common Loon In Salt Lake County
Two days ago I was absolutely, fantastically delighted to spend time photographing a strikingly handsome Common Loon that is almost in breeding plumage.