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
Say’s Phoebes And Sagebrush
Over time I have come to associate Say's Phoebes with sagebrush because I don't think I have ever seen or photographed one of these phoebes where there wasn't sage nearby here in northern Utah.
Soaking Wet MacGillivray’s Warbler After Leaf-bathing
Yesterday I was allowed a peek into the leaf-bathing behavior of this MacGillivray's Warbler I photographed high in the Wasatch Mountains.
Painted Lady Butterfly And Rocky Mountain Bee Plants
I'd forgotten about this Painted Lady butterfly I photographed in August of 2017 that I found while photographing hummingbirds on Antelope Island State Park.
American Robin Chasing Off A Gray Catbird
I don’t think it was a “King of the castle” kind of behavior going on but what do I know, I am not a bird!
Blooming Chokecherry Trees In Utah’s Wasatch Mountains
I am not just a bird photographer. I am also a student of nature each and every time I venture into the field because being out there teaches me something new on practically every journey.
MacGillivray’s Warblers In The Wasatch Mountains
Despite the difficulties I have finding and photographing MacGillivray's Warblers I will keep trying to take better images of them.
Photographing Gray Catbird Interactions In The Mountains
This morning I'm grateful that I spotted a single Gray Catbird pop up on top of a snowberry bush yesterday morning because if I hadn't none of the following photos would have been possible.
Mallard Ducklings In An Alpine Creek
I know from experience that when I post Mallard photos and write about them here on my site that they don't seem to get as many views as other birds do.
Adult Male Yellow Warbler Perched In Willows
When this adult male Yellow Warbler landed in a willow near me I was more than happy to photograph him surrounded by the willows.
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird In The Wasatch Mountains
Yesterday I saw this female Black-chinned Hummingbird land on a willow branch not far from where I sat in a mobile blind and I was delighted to photograph her.
Two Greater Sage-Grouse Foraging On The Aquarius Plateau
I found these two foraging Greater Sage-Grouse high up on the Aquarius Plateau in Wayne County, Utah five years ago today.
An American Robin Who Briefly Fooled My Ears
And I then had an "Ah ha" moment. No wonder I thought I was hearing a Cedar Waxwing when in actuality it was the American Robin calling out because of a predator that I did not see.
Female Mountain Bluebird With Prey
As I went through the images I took four years ago this photo of a female Mountain Bluebird perched on an old fence post with prey for her young in her bill stood out to me.
Well Hello There Green-tailed Towhee – I’ve Been Expecting You
I heard the male Green-tailed Towhee before I could see him perched on the weathered post with lichens on the top so a view of him was no surprise for me.
Song Sparrow On A Cloudy Spring Morning
The Song Sparrow didn't let the gray clouds overhead, the moisture in the air or its damp feathers stop it from singing to all the other birds within earshot. I have to admire that.
Hearing Thousands Of American Goldfinches Flying Overhead
I have never heard so many American Goldfinches flying overhead for such a long period of time and I was in awe. I still am.
Sunrise with a Long-billed Curlew In A Florida Lagoon
I will say that my favorite and most memorable times photographing Long-billed Curlews happened while I was still living in Florida well away from their breeding grounds.
Adult Turkey Vultures Thermoregulating
In April there was a bright, sunny morning when I had several opportunities to photograph adult Turkey Vultures warming up after a chilly night by thermoregulating.
Tree Swallows Nesting In The Uinta Mountains
Tree Swallows and other birds should be nesting in the Uinta Mountains by now and I am itching to hop into my Jeep to drive up there to find them.
Serviceberries Are Blooming In The Wasatch Mountains
What got me so excited was seeing how many serviceberries there were blooming on the slopes of the mountains and how thick the blossoms were on each of the shrubs.
One Spring Morning When Yellow-rumped Warblers Dripped From Trees
Almost one year ago I spent my morning photographing so many Yellow-rumped Warblers that they seemed to almost drip from the trees.
Searching And Listening For Cedar Waxwings
Every time I've gone up into the Wasatch Mountains lately I have been searching and listening for Cedar Waxwings to observe and photograph.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Male Hovering Below Black Twinberry Honeysuckle Flowers
Of the hundred or so images I took of the male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in that small and very windy area I only liked this one photo.
Baby Uinta Ground Squirrels In The Wasatch Mountains
Seeing the baby ground squirrels brought a smile to my face and I must admit that my heart skipped a beat. I really think that they are adorable.
Wet Swainson’s Hawk In A Storm
This adult male Swainson's Hawk was perched near his nest in a light rain and although he looked soaking wet that didn't appear to bother him much at all.
Focusing On House Wrens
To photograph House Wrens and other birds I know I need to find them which means focusing my attention on the sights and sounds around me whenever I am out in the field which has worked extremely well for me.
Happy 88th Birthday Mom!
Today is my mother's 88th birthday and although we aren't together to celebrate it and we are physically 2,211 miles apart I know that this photo will bring us close together once again because she loved this view.
Photographing A Foraging American Oystercatcher In The First Light Of Dawn
The soft light of dawn has a special quality to it and I believe that it is evident in both of these American Oystercatcher photos.
Sharing Sunrise With Short-eared Owl Chicks
I spent a few minutes photographing some of the cutest Short-eared Owl chicks that were just the width of a ditch away from the road that May morning.
Female Yellow Warbler Foraging In A Hawthorn Tree
Eight days ago I photographed my first male Yellow Warbler of the year and two days ago I had some luck with my first females of the season.