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
Urban Bird: Male Great-tailed Grackle
While I was walking around my local pond three days ago I enjoyed having a male Great-tailed Grackle in my viewfinder for a bit. He was strolling along nearby.
American Wigeon Portraits – I See Spats
This morning, I am sharing two American Wigeon portraits. I felt fortunate to take them recently at one of my local urban ponds on a frosty, cold morning.
Male Brewer’s Blackbird Portraits
I took these two male Brewer's Blackbird portraits yesterday at my local pond. In one the blackbird was displaying, in the other he just looked funny to me.
Mating Greater Sage-Grouse On A Wild Windswept Lek
During the breeding season, male Greater Sage-Grouse gather in communal display areas known as leks to perform an elaborate courtship ritual.
Red-tailed Hawk Pre-Lift Off
It's been about four years since I photographed this rufous Red-tailed Hawk in in a pre-lift off pose way up in northern Utah. This pose can be hard to capture.
Double-crested Cormorant on the Bear River
I photographed this adult Double-crested Cormorant at the end of March last spring as it swam by me on the Bear River. The color of its eyes was so striking.
Communing With Sandhill Cranes
I've been thinking a lot about Sandhill Cranes recently so I am going back in time to nine years ago today when I photographed them in Wayne County, Utah.
One Tranquil American Coot
Calm and tranquil, this American Coot photographed 3 days ago stood out from its typically aggressive and territorial behavior during the breeding season.
Coyote On A Sunny Spring Morning
I came across this image I took of a Coyote standing on rocks on a sunny spring morning yesterday and realized that I miss seeing coyotes as often as I used to.
Urban Drake American Wigeon In Snow
The sun came out for a bit yesterday so I went down to my local urban ponds. I was tickled to find and photograph a drake American Wigeon resting in the snow.
Looking Back On The Winter Of 2022/2023
Spring is just days away now and I've been looking back on the winter of of 2022/2023. As a photographer it has kind of sucked for me. But Utah has gotten plenty of snow.
When Life Gives You A Twisted Neck Just Go With The Flow
When I took photos of this Great Egret with a twisted neck and buggy eyes at Fort De Soto I didn't think I'd still be laughing at them fourteen years later.
Vesper Sparrow At Dawn
As this winter drags on, I find myself yearning for the sounds of spring. In particular, I can barely wait to hear the soft morning song of a Vesper Sparrow.
Great Blue Heron: Solitude On The Ice
On my last journey up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I stopped to take photos of a majestic Great Blue Heron enjoying some solitude on the ice.
Tracking Tundra Swan U915: A Story of Survival
Three days ago I found a collared Tundra Swan in a flock of swans at Bear River MBR. The blue collar caught my eye and I took photos of the swan.
Singing Red-winged Blackbird Male
After my long and photo heavy Tundra Swan post yesterday I am keeping my post today simple. I'm sharing a single photo of a singing Red-winged Blackbird male.
Big & Beautiful: Tundra Swans of Bear River MBR
Yesterday morning I spent time with a flock of big, beautiful Tundra Swans at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I loved every moment that I had with the swans.
Wings Over People: My Love for Bird Photography
This could also be titled "Why I prefer to bird photography over people photography" and I will explain why this morning.
Hen Common Merganser At Bear River MBR
Last month I photographed this hen Common Merganser in a small spot of open water next to an ice shelf at Bear River MBR. It was a very cold morning.
Young Bald Eagle Looking Fierce
Today I'm sharing a photo of a young Bald Eagle who was looking mighty fierce while perched on a power pole that I took last February on a very cold morning.
Just Weeks Away From Taking Uinta Ground Squirrel Photos
In just about five weeks I should be able to take my first of year Uinta Ground Squirrel photos up in the sage-covered, grassy parts of the Wasatch Mountains.
Golden Hour: Urban Great Blue Heron
The last time I photographed at a local park I found a Great Blue Heron resting in the water at the edge of a pond in the golden light found just after dawn.
Migrating Sandhill Cranes On The Wing
I heard through the grapevine that Sandhill Cranes have returned to Farmington Bay WMA. Since the cranes are there they might be at other Utah locations too.
West Desert Western Bluebird Memory
This morning I am sharing a Western Bluebird memory from seven years ago. That day I found small flock of these colorful bluebirds in the West Desert.
Male Red-winged Blackbird Foraging In Grasses
After a very busy day yesterday, I decided to share a simple photo this morning of a male Red-winged Blackbird foraging in grasses at Farmington Bay WMA.
Snow Place Like Utah: February Snowmageddon
Hey there! Today's post is brought to you live from Salt Lake City, where a snowstorm of epic proportions is currently in full swing. Snow kidding.
Coming Soon: Great-tailed Grackle Breeding Season
On two of my most recent walks I have seen Great-tailed Grackles. Seeing them reminded me that Great-tailed Grackle breeding season is coming soon.
Great Blue Heron On Ice – Small In Frame
Last week I had the opportunity to photograph a Great Blue Heron on the ice at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, where the heron was small in the frame.
Luminous Snow-covered Promontory Mountains
While I was driving to the auto tour loop at Bear River MBR last week, I stopped to take photos of the luminous, snow-covered Promontory Mountains.
Canada Geese Courtship: A Prelude To Spring
February might seem early but I'm already noticing that Canada Geese are pairing up at Bear River MBR which is a prelude to the arrival of spring.