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
Spring Male Ring-necked Pheasant Portraits
I was tickled to be able to take a nice series of male Ring-necked Pheasant portraits yesterday morning in early morning light in Box Elder County, Utah.
Female Red-winged Blackbird Munching A Midge
What I liked about this photo was that I caught the female Red-winged Blackbird with her bill open while she was munching on a midge.
Spring Yellow-headed Blackbird Male Photos
I was at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning and came home with some spring Yellow-headed Blackbird photos I am happy with.
Listening To A Marsh Wren Serenade
I spent a few minutes with a singing Marsh Wren that I spotted in the marsh at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge last week. The tiny wren wasn't close so pointing him out was no easy task.
Spotting A Short-eared Owl In The Distance
What caught my attention was this adult male Short-eared Owl perched on a bush way out in the distance in the middle of a rancher's field.
Male Horned Lark
Two days ago while on Antelope Island I photographed a male Horned Lark that seemed to have a big attitude which was really about him defending his territory.
Spring Sage Thrasher Portrait
The second bird I photographed yesterday morning on Antelope Island State Park was an adult Sage Thrasher in gorgeous early morning light.
Utah’s Ospreys Are Back For Their Nesting Season
I was hoping to find my first of the year Swainson's Hawks yesterday but instead I spotted my first of year Ospreys.
Swainson’s Hawk On A Gnarly Fence Post
I haven't found my first of season Swainson's Hawk yet but I expect that to change any day now as spring migration is almost in full swing.
Dreaming Of Wildflowers
My dreams were filled with blooming wildflowers and me taking photos of them in the field so it seemed appropriate to share a few wildflower photos this morning.
Spring Yellow-bellied Marmot Resting
Around the middle of March while photographing nesting hawks I spotted a bit of movement and saw this Yellow-bellied Marmot resting on a cliff.
Spring Turkey Vulture And A View From The Road
Yesterday morning I was able to photograph a spring Turkey Vulture warming up in the morning light from a rural road in Box Elder County.
Mountain Bluebird On The Aquarius Plateau
I thought this male Mountain Bluebird photographed on the Aquarius Plateau in Wayne County, Utah positively glowed in the early morning light.
Finding Greater Sage-Grouse Away From Their Leks
Finding Greater Sage-Grouse away from their leks isn't easy. It takes sharp eyes, keen observation skills, plus knowing what to look for.
Black-billed Magpie With Nesting Material
It is Black-billed Magpie nesting season on Antelope Island State Park and throughout their breeding range in western North America.
Adult Male Yellow Warbler Photo
This adult male Yellow Warbler photo taken in the Wasatch Mountains a few years ago reminds me that any day now I could see and hear these bright yellow birds.
Tree Swallows Have Returned
A little birdie told me that Tree Swallows returned to the marshes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge about the middle of this month.
Mated Red-tailed Hawk Pair
Last week I spotted and photographed a mated Red-tailed Hawk pair on the branches of a tree in front of a cliff in early morning light.
Utah’s Drought Crisis
I could grumble and complain about waking to find fresh snow outside this morning because it is the second day of spring. I won't because we are in a drought.
Late Winter American Robin Photos
I took a few American Robin photos yesterday morning high in the Wasatch Mountains in two counties and two very different settings.
Pronghorn Buck And West Desert Sky Island Mountains
I found and photographed this Pronghorn buck in Utah's West Desert after photographing birds at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in April of 2019.
Sandhill Cranes On Spring Migration
I spent a few minutes photographing Sandhill Cranes twice yesterday, once not long after sunrise and then later in the morning.
Spring Wild Turkey Tom Displays
The last time I was up in the Wasatch Mountains I found a Wild Turkey tom displaying next to some old farm equipment for the nearby hens.
West Desert Mountains
Some days start off the wrong way and when they do I look for things that soothe me. Views of mountains calm me down so today I am sharing a simple view of some West Desert mountains.
It Is Red-tailed Hawk Nesting Season
Red-tailed Hawk nesting season has started in northern Utah and I found a few pairs yesterday morning that have already gotten busy with nest building.
Long-Billed Curlews – Spring Birds I look Forward To
Spring birds I look forward to seeing and hearing include Long-billed Curlews which should be arriving in northern Utah any day now.
White-tailed Prairie Dog At Sunset
March means spring to me and there are signs of spring that I look for. The first of year sighting of a White-tailed Prairie Dog is a sign of spring for me.
Signs Of Spring – First Turkey Vulture Sighting Report
Yesterday afternoon I received an email from the UBird Google group with a first of the year Turkey Vulture sighting and that got me excited.
Swan Day in Utah – March 13, 2021
This Saturday, March 13th, is Swan Day here in Utah. It is a day to celebrate these large, white, beautiful birds that spend time here during the winter.
Common Raven On The Wing
Earlier this month I had a brief opportunity to photograph a Common Raven on a gate at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on a bright, beautiful morning.