My Daily Story Timeline
Every day, 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 daily 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
Shades of Blue and a Willet Too
As we go into a holiday weekend filled with loud noises and flashes of fireworks I wanted to share something more peaceful, a simple image of a Willet walking on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico.
Use of Decoys for Colonial-nesting Seabirds and the Need for Protected Nesting Areas
On an extremely hot April day I was out on Egmont Key for a Florida Master Naturalist class and from a distance I thought I saw some Black Skimmers and Least Terns resting on a beach but they turned out to be decoys.
Bundle of Western Burrowing Owls
I thought I would share some images I have taken of Western Burrowing Owls that I took over several days spent with them in Box Elder County, Utah.
Swainson’s Hawk in Box Elder County
I am always happy to photograph Swainson's Hawks no matter where I find them so I was pleased to find this one perched on a lichen covered rock yesterday in Box Elder County, Utah.
Trio Of Brown Birds from Antelope Island
The heat of summer has turned the green grasses brown on Antelope Island State Park so I thought I'd share some of the "brown birds" I photographed there yesterday.
A Snowy View of Antelope Island State Park’s Mountains to Cool Off on a Hot June Day
I am going to brave the heat today and head to Antelope Island State Park to see if there are any birds around that aren't hiding in the shade or panting with their bills open.
American Robin near Modoc Creek, Idaho
In early May I found this American Robin perched near Modoc Creek, Idaho and I liked the simplicity of of the background and the robin's pose.
Spotted Sandpiper in the Targhee National Forest
These Spotted Sandpiper images are from my last trip to Idaho and were taken near a creek in the Targhee National Forest.
More Fun with Burrowing Owls and the Dangers of Barbed Wire
I spent yesterday morning photographing Burrowing Owls in northern Utah again and while most of it was fun there was something I found that broke my heart.
Snowy Egret in breeding plumage at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Mornings this time of the year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are cool, delightful and early on the subjects can appear to glow from the soft light like this Snowy Egret.
Morning Spent at a Burrowing Owl Burrow
Last week I posted an image of Burrowing Owl siblings that I found in northern Utah and today I am posting images of that burrow after spending yesterday morning being delighted by them once more.
Pronghorn Fawns Cause Me Cuteness Overload
I can't resist Pronghorn fawns, well maybe I can, but I don't want to and won't! I saw three fawns close together yesterday on Antelope Island State Park and they put me into cuteness overload.
Happy Father’s Day 2015
To all the wonderful, deserving Dad's out there I'd like to wish you a Happy Father's Day!
Red-tailed Hawk just after lift off
This Red-tailed Hawk image was taken last week in the Centennial Valley of Montana just after the hawk lifted off from a power pole.
Sibling Burrowing Owls
Yesterday while wandering around in northern Utah I spotted an adult and then 5 sibling Burrowing Owls also showed up to perch on an old fence line.
Willet Close Ups
There was a very cooperative Willet on Antelope Island Yesterday that was close to a road and perched in sweet light and I couldn't resist taking portraits of this lovely shorebird.
Uinta Ground Squirrels of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Uinta Ground Squirrels are the most plentiful mammals I see during the summer months in the Centennial Valley.
Wilson’s Phalarope And A Midge At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
On my recent trip to Idaho and Montana I didn't have many opportunities with Wilson's Phalaropes except for one at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge's Lower Lake.
Field of Wildflowers and a Sandhill Crane in the Centennial Valley
I always think of Sandhill Cranes whenever my thoughts drift to the Centennial Valley of Montana where I always hear their calls, see them in the fields or in flight over the marshes.
The Demise of the Magical Sapsucker Tree and the Luck of Finding More Nesting Cavity Trees
I am heart-broken about losing the Magical Sapsucker Tree but I am glad to have found a few more where the chicks are thriving and are safe so far.
Wonderful Photo Session with a White-crowned Sparrow
Yesterday was bright and sunny in the Centennial Valley and after hearing this White-crowned Sparrow singing I felt like breaking out in song too.
Cassin’s Finches of the Centennial Valley of Montana
Cassin's Finch males look to me like they have been dipped in raspberry juice and that color is very vibrant especially in sweet light.
A Wet and Bedraggled Swainson’s Hawk
It was rainy yesterday evening in southwestern Montana and eastern Idaho but that didn't stop me from getting this image of a wet and bedraggled Swainson's Hawk in the Centennial Valley.
Moose Cow in the Targhee National Forest
Being in the right place at the right time can be awesome like last year being in the Targhee National Forest when a cow Moose and calf walked down a hill.
An American Oystercatcher’s running lift off
American Oystercatchers are one of my favorite shorebirds to photograph along the Gulf of Mexico because of their unusual appearance.
Pair Of Coyotes And The Healing Journey of One
Any day that I see a Coyote is a great one, seeing a pair of them it is even greater and yesterday I photographed a pair of coyotes I am very familiar with.
Female Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Female Yellow-headed Blackbirds are often overlooked by casual viewers and bird photographers because they aren't as flashy as the males.
Western Willets on Antelope Island
There are two subspecies of Willets in North America and during the breeding season in Utah the birds we see are the Western subspecies.
Willow Flycatcher on Antelope Island
Early last week while photographing Western Kingbirds I also had the opportunity to photograph a Willow Flycatcher that was hanging around the same area on Antelope Island State Park.
Mule Deer on the Parker Range
High up on the Parker Range there was a large stand of Quaking Aspen and just outside of the trees there was a Mule Deer grazing on the green grasses.