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
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.
Bear River MBR American Barn Owls in Flight – All Small in the Frame
By having the American Barn Owls smaller in the frame in my photos I can share more visual information about where these beautiful owls live, hunt and thrive.
Immature Reddish Egret & Adult in Flight with Nesting Material
Immature or adult, dark or white morph, Reddish Egrets are spectacular and fascinating wading birds to see, observe and photograph.
Fish Crow in flight over Egmont Key, Florida – Why So Many Views
This Fish Crow in flight over Egmont Key In Florida image isn't the best, I see many flaws in it, but on my old photo gallery this photo had by far the most views in the entire gallery.
Immature Red-tailed Hawk Looking At The Rising Sun – Plus a New Personal Challenge
I photographed this immature Red-tailed Hawk while in a canyon going up into the Stansbury Mountains as the bird looked into the rising sun.
November Marsh Wren at Farmington Bay WMA
While looking for an image in my archives I came across this photo of a Marsh Wren making a funny face while doing the splits on some cattails at Farmington Bay WMA and wanted to share it.
Early Morning Coyote and the Great Salt Lake
Yesterday an early morning session with a Coyote, the Great Salt Lake and some rocks made my day, I was so very happy to photograph the "Song Dog".
What Not To Do When Finding a Baby Bird – Caged Lark Sparrow
I wasn't sure I wanted to write this post about an imprisoned Lark Sparrow I heard about on a Facebook group that is about identifying birds but after mulling it over I decided I'd tell the story.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Goldfinch & American Tree Sparrow in Northern Utah
I spent time photographing primarily small birds yesterday in northern Utah which included Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, American Goldfinches and American Tree Sparrows.
Differences in Photographing Greater Yellowlegs in Florida and Utah
There are big differences in the ways I photograph Greater Yellowlegs here in Utah than there were when I photographed them in Florida.