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
Wintry Wasatch Mountain Peaks
Yesterday afternoon, I drove down to my local pond, hoping that I could see the snowy Wasatch Mountain peaks through the clouds. This was about the best view I got.
Urban Birds – Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Three years ago today, I photographed this adult Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay from my living room window. The jay was in a neighbor's spruce tree across the street.
I Am Missing This Cooperative Rough-legged Hawk
Once upon a time, and not so long ago, I could count on seeing this light-morph Rough-legged Hawk at a specific area of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge tour route.
White-faced Ibis Do Overwinter At Bear River MBR
On New Year's Day, I photographed two small flocks of White-faced Ibis at Bear River MBR. It isn't unusual at all for this ibis species to overwinter at the refuge.
Northern Harrier – My First Raptor of 2024
The first raptor I photographed in 2024 was this young male Northern Harrier that I found near the refuge auto tour loop at Bear River MBR on New Year's Day.
American Herring Gull In Flight Close Up
Three years ago today, I drove the auto tour loop at Bear River MBR alone. One of the birds I photographed that winter morning was this close-up adult Herring Gull in flight.
Winter Great Blue Heron On Thin Bear River Ice – Utah Is On Thin Ice Too
I photographed this Great Blue Heron almost two years ago, walking gingerly on the thinning ice of the Bear River. I was on my way to the auto tour loop at the refuge when I spotted this heron.
Fun Drake Mallard At Bear River MBR
On New Year's Day morning, I had fun photographing a drake Mallard from the auto tour loop of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as he lifted off from the marsh.
Drake Northern Pintail At Bear River MBR On New Year’s Day
I was thrilled to find and photograph a handsome drake Northern Pintail out on the auto tour loop of Bear River MBR on New Year's Day morning.
Common Raven – My First Of Year Bird 2024
My first bird of the year for 2024 was a Common Raven I found yesterday morning on my way out to the auto tour loop of Bear River MBR.
Cooper’s Hawk – My Last Bird of 2023
As the sun was setting on the last day of 2023, the last bird I saw was a neighborhood Cooper's Hawk. I shared that sighting with my neighbor, Shane, and his son, Kadence.
2023 – That’s A Wrap
I'm breaking from my own tradition this year and simply calling 2023 a wrap. Typically, I share photos from each month of the year and write about my journeys.
Canada Geese In A Snowstorm
As 2023 winds down, I've been looking at older photos taken at the end of previous years. This 2019 image of Canada Geese in a snowstorm stood out to me.
Why I See More Than A Tree In These Photos
Both of these photos show the same tree on Goose Egg Island at Farmington Bay WMA. The images were taken in December of 2022 and 2013.
Just A Simple Bald Eagle Post
This morning, I'm writing a simple Bald Eagle post about a well-known Bald Eagle post at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City, Utah.
Adult and Immature Tufted Titmouse Photos
This year, I was thrilled to photograph Tufted Titmouse in my friend Steve Creek's very birdy and extremely wonderful Arkansas yard.
Ring-billed Gull Portrait And My Sense Of Humor
I'm sharing this day after Christmas Ring-billed Gull portrait this this morning. I know a lot of people don't like gulls. I will never be one of those people.
Christmas Day Young Northern Harrier On The Wing
On this Christmas morning, I am sharing a photo of a young female Northern Harrier in flight that I took exactly three years ago at Farmington Bay WMA.
Jolly Drake Mallard On Christmas Eve
I went through all of the photos I have taken on Christmas eve throughout the years and this jolly-looking drake Mallard spoke the loudest to me.
American Robin Spring Song
I haven't been outdoors much this week, but I have been hearing parts of the American Robin spring song at times when I have needed to go somewhere.
Common Loon Checking Me Out
This morning, I am not feeling up to par, so I am sharing a single Common Loon photo that I took in April at my local pond. They are gorgeous birds.
Happy Winter Solstice 2023
I look forward to the Winter Solstice each year because it marks when the days start getting longer. On this day, I celebrate Mother Nature and our Mother Earth.
Six Canvasback Hen Photos
This morning, I'm sharing six Canvasback hen photos that were taken two winters ago. I found the hen mixed in with other ducks at my local pond.
Rough-legged Hawk In Dense Fog
Some bird photographers might not share a photo like this Rough-legged Hawk in dense fog that I took two years ago today at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Ruddy Duck Drake – What A Difference 20 Days Makes
Just 20 days can make a big difference in the way this Ruddy Duck drake looks. His bill is a lot bluer now than it was when I first saw him at my local pond.
Resting Redhead Drake On An Urban Pond
Today I am sharing a simple photo of a resting Redhead drake that I saw at my local pond two days ago. The red-headed duck appeared to be keeping an eye on me.
Murmuration Of European Starlings On The Wing
I wasn't the only person who noticed the huge murmuration of European Starlings at my local pond yesterday morning; other people stopped and admired them too.
Snow Goose In Salt Lake County
Towards the end of November, I found a Snow Goose in Salt Lake County at my local pond. Unfortunately, on that afternoon, I didn't have my camera with me.
Western Meadowlark And A Windy Morning At Bear River MBR
I didn't photograph many birds at Bear River MBR yesterday because it was windy. I did take photos of this handsome Western Meadowlark at the refuge though.
Juniper Titmouse Photos In Utah
Even though I have taken Juniper Titmouse images, this titmouse species is still a bit of a nemesis bird for me. I just don't see them as much as I would like.