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Green Kingfisher Perched ©Debra Martz I considered this my lucky day when first stepping out on the deck to the boardwalk and there sat this beautiful Green Kingfisher. Sitting still for a moment is not the norm and it was soon zipping in, out, and all about. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_9983.NEF

Whistling Duck Whistling A Tune ©Debra Martz Yes, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks really do have a whistle for their call. It's a soft, high whistle with a long first note and several following notes. They also have an inflight call of chit-chit-chit which can be quite loud when it is a large flock of them. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. Scientific name: Dendrocygna autumnalis ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240229-DSC_9537.NEF Alt Text: A brownish-colored Whistling duck with a distinctive red bill is looking upwards, possibly calling or whistling. The background reveals a calm body of water that reflects subtle ripples.

Sacred Datura by Debra Martz Beautiful but poisonous and may be fatal if ingested by humans, livestock, or pets. It was growing wild throughout Zion National Park. Datura wrighti is sacred to some Native Americans and has been used in ceremonies and rites of passage by Chumash, Tongva, and others....not all survived. Copyright by Debra Martz 20180823-DSC_4360.NEF

Mississippi Kite Juvenile All Alone by Debra Martz This juvenile was all alone and I thought it had been left behind from the flock. Two evenings before a huge flock of these Kites circled overhead for a long period of time and then went to roost at dark. I knew it was about time for them to head out on their migration to South America and the next day was the first that I had not seen nor heard one since arriving in Enid, Oklahoma on August 1st. A couple of afternoons passed and I heard the call, and saw this young one all alone. I was worried for it until later in the evening another flock of Kites did a reapeat of circling like they had two nights priors. Perhaps I am in the migratory flight path of those that are farther nor...

Brian Head Peak - CCC Lookout- Cedar Breaks - Utah by Debra Martz From the signage: "Brian Head Peak. Elevation 11,307 Feet. The structure before you was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). From this location you can see parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Renovation project conducted by the 1995 Siearra Club Southwest Service Trip." The views from this lookout were expansive and beautiful!! I've added an overlay which enhanced the light on the structure and texture of the sky. Copyright Debra Martz 20180822-DSC_4194.N

Monk Parrot in Hidalgo Texas - Digitally Enhanced by Debra Martz While visiting the Historic Hidalgo Pump House in south Texas during January, an employee, realizing I was bird watching, informed me of the large amount of Monk Parrots and nests just on the outer edge of the property. So of course I went looking. They build huge stick nests, and most were on powerline poles. A large number of these birds will share one nest which has many internal compartments. It is thought that this helps them keep warm and tolerate colder temperatures. They were fist introduced into the US in the 1960s to be sold as pet but over time, through escape or release, they have populated a number of areas in the US as wild birds. They a...

Fortkirche aka Fort Church in Fort Amsterdam Willemstad Curacao ©Debra Martz Fort Amsterdam is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful old citadel, which stands on the site where the first fort was built in 1635, now serves as the home of the island’s governor plus contains other government offices. Inside the large quadrangle courtyard, all sides are of mustard-yellow Dutch colonial architecture. The only building that's open to the public is the 1769 Fortkirche, aka Fort Church, centered in this image.

Early Morning Pelicans by Debra Martz The pelicans and a few other birds were staring to wakeup and move about...except that middle one didn't seem quite ready for the day. Captured at the Great Salt Plains State Park in Northern Oklahoma during fall migration. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20221005-DSC_4974-Edit.tif

Sandy Jamaica Beach and Clear Water ©Debra Martz Walking in the edge of the beautiful, cool, clear water while spending a day at the beach of the Puerto Seco Resort near Ocho Rios Jamaica. Digital brushes and textures used for a painterly effect. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Sundial Seashells by Debra Martz This is a macro image of part of my seashell collection. Living near the beach allows my to collected as often as I like. But here on the coast of South Texas shell collecting is much better during winter months. I'm not sure why; possibly a change in the currents bring in different varieties and many of them. Sundials, the spiralling one on the top, is always a favorite of mine to find. They are perfect just rinsed, dried and placed in a decorative dish (providing the snail is no longer inside). Great for coastal living decor.

California Lighthouse Aruba ©Debra Martz The California lighthouse stands as a silent watchman in the area known as "Hudishibana," near the island's northwestern tip. Why California? The SS California, a steamship made of wood, sank on the NE coast of Aruba in 1891. The lighthouse was named after the vessel when it was built in 1915-1917. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Oranjestad Aruba Sunrise @ Debra Martz It was a gorgeous sunrise to start our day as the cruise ship was arriving in Oranjestad at 6:37 a.m. April 14th. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Looking Up from Lower Antelope Canyon - Painterly by Debra Martz The views from the floor of the canyon were amazing with the multitudes of textures and swirls and layers of canyon walls that have been cut by water and wind over time. And the different colors due to light were unbelievable! Digitally enhanced with a painterly effect. ©Debra Martz 20180830-DSC_6663-E2T Arizona and Digital Art Photography Gallery/Collection

Yellow-Rumped Warbler by Debra Martz ........................... On a beautiful January day at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas, Texas, I followed this warbler with my lens for sometime. Just as I was about to give up on getting a capture it landed right in front of me, pulled off a berry, gave me a quick glance and it was off again. So, I say to this little ball of fire, thanks for looking at me if only for a second! ......................... This image is copyright of Debra Martz. All associated rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistributing these images without the expressed written permission from me is strictly prohibited. .............................. Thank you for looking, ...

Water Snake Slithering Along ©Debra Martz It had been a full day of bird watching and which turned to watching out for snakes. The others seen along the trails were all Indigo Snakes. Thankfully all nonvenomous! Image captured at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas March 2nd.

Weeping Rock Topiary by Debra Martz This one looked to have been trimmed and trained into the shape of a cat...maybe that's just me. Plus, this was not trimmed nor trained....just amazing nature. What does it look like to you? It was along one of my favorite short hikes in Zion, Weeping Rock Trail; only 1/2 mile round trip but with a moderately steep climb to the Alcove. It begins in a surround of cottonwood, ash and maple trees but can become slippery at the top as there is moss on the rocks and walkway from the dripping springs. You soon find yourself in a large eroded carved out area, an alcove, with hanging gardens. Copyright of Debra Martz 20180823-DSC_4506.N

Autograph Rock Sante Fe Trail Oklahoma Collage Autograph Rock, northwest of Boise City, Oklahoma, is a well-documented feature of the famed Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail, which transects Cimarron County. On the rock face are more than three hundred signatures of people who passed it on the Santa Fe Trail between 1822 and the 1880s. F.B. Delgado, a member of a prominent Santa Fe family, carved his name more than any other during his travels on the trail. I found three different ones. Kit Carson’s name has not been found, but he built a fort near the rock to protect wagon trains that passed there. Concerned about their safety in a land inhabited by American Indians, Carson waited until 500 wagons arrived before letting them con...

Reflections On Frozen Natural Abstract © Debra Martz Hiking along the Eagle Roost Trail you encounter areas where the trail is about 6-7 feet wide and marshy water is on both sides. Here in Northern Oklahoma, we had several weeks below freezing. Finally, there were several days in the upper 50s, so we went for a hike and bird-watching. I was a little surprised to find areas along the trail where the water was still frozen. I loved the patterns that had been created in the ice; more than likely with a little help from the windy weather, also. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_9327.NEF

African Daisies Color Pop on Black Background by Debra Martz Digitally changed in Topaz using a variety of effects including abstraction, radiance, dual toning, etc. ©Debra Martz 20190605-DSC_1387

Navajo Bridges in Arizona by Debra Martz Traveling across the country on Highway 89A between Bitter Springs and Jacob Lake, AZ you arrive at two bridges similar in appearance spanning the Colorado River; one is historic and one new. The bridge on the right was completed and opened to vehicle traffic on January 12, 1929. At the time, it was the highest steel arch bridge in the world and made traveling between Utah and Arizona much easier. Navajo Bridge served the area well for 66 years. However, as automobiles and trucks became larger, wider, and heavier, the need for a stronger, wider bridge became evident. A new bridge was built just downstream from the existing bridge, and in the same style. The historic bridge remains and serve as a p...

Nature's Helping Hand by Debra Martz Some people search for patterns, shapes and things in the clouds....I do, too, and in nature as well. This limb looked like a hand to me...

Butterfly On An Autumn Day by Debra Martz Not just any ordinary Autumn day as I had made the drive to south Texas for some bird watching. The weather is normally quite nice in late November but not this time...rain and colder than normal all 3 days. Buy hey, I was there to be outdoors and look for birds and enjoy nature on a whole and so I did. I started noticing a number of butterflies up in the trees and also on tall grasses...too cool for them to fly. This particular Queen was on the grass stem along with rain drops of which some were jewel like where the spider webs held them in place. Even on a bad weather day there is beauty to be found. ©Debra Martz 20181124-DSC_1828.NEF

Great Tailed Grackle Perched ©Debra Martz When there are multiple Grackles, these birds are very noisy but this one just slipped in without me hearing it. I was scanning the upper parts of the trees when I noticed him and liked the starkness of what I was seeing; just one dark somewhat iridescent bird on the bare branches and overcast sky. Captured along a trail in the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 2024-03-04-DSC_0288

Downy Woodpecker With a Tight Grip ©Debra Martz The active tiny Downy Woodpecker is a common sight in our backyard, just slightly larger than the Chickadees that also frequent the area. This black-and-white bird feels right at home on small branches, as is seen here clinging with its tiny claws on either side of the limb. While there is a larger lookalike, the Hairy Woodpecker, it is a rare occurrence to spot it in our backyard. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20242/20210217-DSC_3986.NEF

Cottontail Rabbit Hopping Along the Trail by Debra Martz While hiking along one of the many trails in South Llano River State Park, this cute cottontail hopped out of the brush and along the trail for a ways and then paused and looked back at me before continuing along its merry way.

Make Room For Incoming @Debra Martz In Rockport, Texas there is a large stand of Live Oak trees that serves as a rookery each year during breeding season. It is across the street from the bay which is a source of food for the Herons making this an attractive place to nest. Hundreds of them nest here and as you can see from this small section, the nests are very close together. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 2024/20190214-DSC_3000.NEF

Deer and Nature at Woolaroc by Debra Martz You travel a distance from the entrance of Woolaroc to the lodge and museum on a one-way loop road where you have time to look for the wildlife grazing in the fields and just enjoy the beautiful landscape and lakes. Easily recognizable are the Elk, Bison, Longhorns and other native wildlife. Some of the exotics I was not so sure about and did some searching on the internet. I have narrowed it to be a male North European Fallow Deer possibly. Drop a note in the comments if you think that is right or not. Too bad they don't hand out a list of all the animals in which one might see. In 1925 oilman Frank Phillips built a ranch retreat, Woolaroc, on 3,700 acres in the Osage Hills in norther...

Cascading Bottlebrush Blooms ©Debra Martz Many would refer to it as a bush, but given its significant height, I consider it a tree! This image was captured on South Padre Island, Texas in March. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Flora 2024-03-05-DSC_0341 Alt Text: Vibrant red flowers burst from the branches of a shrub against a soft, white background. Each flower is composed of numerous delicate stamens that create a fluffy appearance amidst the green foliage.

Mimosa Blooms by Debra Martz The Silk Tree, aka Mimosa or Silky Acacia is a non-native tree of the U.S. and people seem to either love it (for its beautiful puffball blooms and fern like leaves) or hate it for seed pods that come after the blossoms and the mess it makes long after the beauty of the flowers are gone. I once read that the best way to prune a Mimosa was with a chainsaw!! I would say that one definitely hates the tree! LOL ©Debra Martz 20190610-DSC_1451

I first discovered the Rabb Plantation located south of Brownsville, Texas on a bird watching trip in February of 2016. The beautiful plantation home, restored in 2013, serves as the Visitors Center for the Sabal Palm Sanctuary. On my most recent trip there, again for birds, I discovered this beautiful fresco when (pardon me) I had to use the restroom:) A plaque on the wall gave this description of the fresco, "This room, now re-purposed as a washroom, originally opened to the kitchen and served as a pantry. During the restoration process, the fresco you see here was discovered behind wooden paneling. While not believed to be original to the house's construction in 1892, its design and style are consistent with that of the 1920s-...

Early Morning At Sea ©Debra Martz Day 3 of the cruise was a day at sea. This was sunrise at 6:19am on April 11th. On the horizon a distant island can barely be seen. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Winding Through the Badlands by Debra Martz ........................... DescriptionBadlands Jungle on a Seabed It was a day a fascination for me! The Badlands are so varied in color, shape and size. You never know if you are going to be on a higher level looking down, at eye level staring right into the side or at a lower elevation and gazing upward! The colors in this area of the Badlands in South Dakota were described on the information sign with the following details.... "Jungle on a Seabed A jungle grew here. Before that, a shallow sea covered the land, Both are gone now, but both left evidence of their passing. The sea's signature is ammonites, baculites, and clams, pearly foxxils entombed in fossil mud calle...

Tiptoe Through The Water ©Debra Martz When I watched this pair of Lesser Yellowlegs skimming across the water, it seemed as though they were delicately tiptoeing to avoid disturbing anything in their path! Captured from a boardwalk over the wetlands on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240229-DSC_9853 Alt Text: Two birds with speckled feathers and bright yellow legs are walking in shallow water, from the right toward the left side. Each of the birds has its outer leg slightly lifted just above the water as if tiptoeing. Their reflections are visible on the water's surface, highlighting their long beaks and slender forms. Photography by Debra Martz

Which Berry Next ©Debra Martz Oh my, the feast this American Robin was having! It was putting down one berry after another. It had been very cold for weeks and the sunshine finally came out and the North winds stopped howling horribly. The birds were out in big numbers; they were happy and I was happy! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20200113-DSC_6500.NEF

Water Buffalo Woolaroc Wildlife Preserve Oklahoma by Debra Martz Though near the Stone and Swan Lakes area, I did not see any of these buffalo in the water but it was a cold day; no need for trying to get cool in the water. The few I saw were all grazing deep in the trees. In 1925 oilman Frank Phillips built a ranch retreat, Woolaroc, on 3,700 acres in the Osage Hills in northern Oklahoma. Today it is a wildlife preserve, home to many species of native and exotic animals plus Woolaroc is also a museum with an outstanding collection of western art and artifacts, Native American material, one of the largest collections of Colt firearms in the world, and much much more. The name Woolaroc was derived from three words that described ...

I saw so many of these beautiful Rocky Mountain Bee Plants on Johnson Road in southern Utah. Had to pull off the road and take some photos. Copyright Debra Martz