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
Winter Views of California Quail in Northern Utah
I was able to photograph several California Quail in snow yesterday in Davis County, Utah and I was also able to listen to at least one male calling.
Young Short-eared Owl Perched On Barbed Wire In Northern Utah
This morning I am sharing a photo of one of the few young Short-eared Owls I found and pointed out this past breeding season here in northern Utah.
Perched male Red-naped Sapsucker in Idaho’s Targhee National Forest
This Red-naped Sapsucker was perched on a dead aspen branch near the nesting cavity where I photographed a chick being fed by the adults in mid July.
Nemesis Birds – Bushtit Photos
Bushtits are a nemesis bird for me, I have only had a few opportunities to photograph these tiny, frenetic birds and I have yet to get high quality images of them.
Juvenile Vesper Sparrow in Southwest Montana
I have seen very few juvenile Vesper Sparrows and I have just a handful of images of them so when I spot one in good light I certainly want to do my best to photograph it.
Male Rough-legged Hawk In Flight Over Box Elder County, Utah
For several weeks now Rough-legged Hawks have been migrating into northern Utah and showing up in locations where I have photographed them for years.
Great Egret Landing In A Lagoon With Prey
I don't often see wading birds in flight with large prey in their bills so in April of 2009 I was excited to see a Great Egret landing in a lagoon with a large fish in its bill.
American Tree Sparrows Galore
I'm seeing more American Tree Sparrows than I've seen since I moved to Utah in 2009 and I hope that means they had a very successful breeding season in 2017.
Treasury of American Goldfinches at Bear River MBR
Last week I found a small flock of American Goldfinches foraging on the auto tour route at Bear River MBR and I was able to capture a few images of them before they took off in a rush.
Double-crested Cormorant After Surfacing
Last December there were several Double-crested Cormorants hanging around my local pond here in northern Utah and I had a great time photographing them.
For The Love Of All That’s Birdy, There Is No Such Thing As A Seagull
One of the things that make my feathers ruffle though is when I see people post a bird photo and call it a "seagull" because there is no such thing as a seagull.
Wondering How the Lone Surviving Red-tailed Hawk Juvenile Is Doing
I've been thinking a lot about the lone surviving Red-tailed Hawk from the nest that blew down because of strong winds earlier in June.
I Spotted My First of Season Common Merganser
While at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge two days ago I spotted my first of the season Common Merganser from the auto tour route.
Bear River MBR Clouds, Marshes, Sunshine and an Immature Western Grebe
Yesterday morning found me at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, a wild and wonderful place that I am very thankful for because of the birds there, the spectacular scenery and the refuge I find within its boundaries.
Drake Mallards Bathing and Splashing
After bathing the Mallards lift up, flap their wings and shake the water off and I have also noticed them repeat the process of bathing several times in succession. Bathe, shake, flap.
Wood Stork Foraging in a Gulf Coast Lagoon
As the Wood Stork foraged for it breakfast it kept an eye on me as I sat low and very still in the lagoon.
Resting Pied-billed Grebe on Silky Looking Water
The Pied-billed Grebe was a bit too far away to take frame filling images of it but I was okay with that because I feel that the visual appearance of the silky water is just as important as the bird in these photos.
Immature Red-tailed Hawk Taking Flight In Northern Utah
Yesterday was one of those days where I thought I would come home and not have any images worth keeping until I spotted an immature Red-tailed Hawk perched on a tree near the road.
Side By Side Prairie and Peregrine Falcon Comparison
There are other differences in plumage between Prairie and Peregrine Falcons that show in my photos but by using just their heads it is possible to make a quick ID in the field.
Sanderling Racing the Waves at Fort De Soto
I wanted to share this photo of a Sanderling racing the waves at Fort De Soto County Park in Florida because I photographed it on a warm, sunny day.
Adult White-crowned Sparrow Feeding on Rabbitbrush Seeds
Last week while on Antelope Island State Park I was able to get some White-crowned Sparrows in my viewfinder, some were pretty far away
Wondering If “My” Canada x Snow Goose Hybrid Will Be Back This Winter
I've been wondering if "my" Canada x Snow Goose hybrid will be back this winter, if it will show up at the same pond and if I will be able to photograph it again.
Winter Redhead Drakes in Northern Utah
Redhead drakes are more colorful than the hens and I always enjoy having them in my viewfinder because of their cinnamon colored heads, their bright orange eyes and their tri-colored bills.
Pied-billed Grebe With Prey
It can be especially fun to watch these small grebes catch a fish to eat and then see the other Pied-billed Grebes nearby try to steal the fish away from it because of the action that can occur.
Female Brewer’s Blackbird With Light Colored Eyes?
Within the flock of blackbirds there was a female Brewer's Blackbird that drew my attention to her because she had light colored eyes and stood out from the other females that were nearby.
Female Red-winged Blackbird Eating Wild Sunflower Seeds In Autumn
Many species of birds on Antelope Island State Park are pigging out on wild sunflower seeds at this time of the year including Red-winged Blackbirds.
Birds and Beasts in a November 2012 Snow Storm on Antelope Island
The birds and beasts on Antelope can survive the harsh winters here but as each years passes I wonder how they will be able to adapt to our changing climate. I can't help but be concerned.
American Tree Sparrow on Antelope Island
I have been having fairly good luck spotting American Tree Sparrows this fall and when this one popped up on top of a greasewood yesterday I was delighted.
Stretching Green Heron at Sawgrass Lake Park
This Green Heron was photographed from and elevated boardwalk at Sawgrass Lake Park, it had been preening when I walked slowly up to it and when it stretched its wing I took this image.
Feathered Tarsi – Ferruginous & Rough-legged Hawks Have Feathered Legs
North America has two hawk (buteos) species that have feathered tarsi, or legs, those two species are Ferruginous Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks.