Great Salt Plains Baseball T-Shirts

Pelican Takeoff Kicking Up Mud by Debra Martz Due to an ongoing drought the lake was getting lower all the time. Places closer to the shore were becoming way to shallow for the large birds to successfully fish. So shallow that this one kicked up mud instead of the usual splash of water they make at takeoff. Captured 20 minutes after sunrise on October 12th at the Great Salt Plains State Park in Northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20221012-DSC_5866.NEF

Simple Elegance by Debra Martz Being near the water from just before dawn to 30 minutes after sunrise presented me with some of the most beautiful moments with the egrets I had ever seen. I watched as they skillfully hunted with new movements/techniques I had not witnessed until this particular morning. Those moves often showed me just how poised and graceful these Snowy Egrets can be! This image has not been converted to black and white; it is in its natural color made possible by early morning light. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_7088.NEF Image captured below the spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma.

Morning With The American Avocets ©Debra Martz On this morning, as I moved from location to location around the lake, the different species seemed to have their favorite spots. So many Avocets here that it made my think of being packed in like sardines! October during the Fall Migration at the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20221012-DSC_5989

Oklahoma Salt Plains ©Debra Martz Located in northern Oklahoma near the towns of Cherokee and Jet, and within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, you will find over 11,000 acres of salt flats. A new location is marked off each year for the public to dig for Selenite crystals between April 1 and October 15.

Early Morning at Great Salt Plains Lake by Debra Martz We enjoy going to the Great Salt Plains State Park in Northern Oklahoma and staying a week or two in our RV. We like getting up early and checking out the the sunrise from a variety of locations. The sun was slow to show its light due to heavy cloud cover but it finally started breaking through those clouds. The lake is terribly low due to drought. The water should be all the way up to this grass edge. Pray for rain. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20221008-DSC_7312

Clouds Loom Over the Oklahoma Salt Plains by Debra Martz On a second trip to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, we drove as far as allowed on the marked "road" onto the salt flats. We didn't stay long as the salty, sandy, clay substance is not somewhere you want to be driving if the rains come, even in 4-wheel drive it felt like we could easily get stuck! Located in northern Oklahoma near the towns of Cherokee and Jet. Several digital filters applied to my original photograph for a somewhat painterly effect. ©Debra Martz 20191001-DSC_7340-Edit.tif

Ring Billed Gull in Landing Position by Debra Martz Bird watching at the upper level of the spillway is always enjoyable. Even in off seasons, you will still see a number of birds in this location. This gull, with wings spread upward and fee down, is ready for landing. Perhaps it has spotted some small fish for a meal. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20211202-DSC_9757

It was a rather slow day of bird watching and those we saw were at a distance so I turned to some landscape photography. This is taken from the bird blind located along the Eagle Roost Trail within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210311-DSC_4452.NEF

Snowy Egret Catch on the Move by Debra Martz I could not believe what I was seeing on this particular morning. I've watched Snowy Egrets "fish" for many years. They position themselves in an area and watch the water closely before probing for a fish as they see it go by them. But on this morning, several Snowies were leaving the peninsula and half running, half dragging their feet while stirring up some fish and then would nab on the go! It was a most spectacular sight to witness! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_7097.NEF

American White Pelican Golden Hour by Debra Martz The colors of the early morning light reflecting beautifully on the water as this White Pelican slowly glided by me. Captured at the spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210929-DSC_6200

Scissor-tailed FlycatchJust as I turned off Oklahoma hwy 38 onto the gravel road that leads to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, I had the treat of Scissortails on both side of the road. I preferred this side with the golden fall grasses as a backdrop as the other side they were on power lines. They are the Oklahoma State Bird yet they are also a migratory bird and will be heading south soon. Captured Oct. 15th in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20201015-DSC_1016.NEF

Great Blue Heron In Flight Over the Spillway by Debra Martz I go to the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma quite often for bird watching. The spillway is usually my first stop as more than likely birds will be either in the water fishing for food or in flight as they head downstream to the river. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20210622-DSC_3997

Morning Flight of the Sandhill Cranes by Debra Martz Just to the left of this landscape is the Sand Creek Bay where 1000s of Sandhill Cranes were wading in the water in the very early morning. Many of them flew before there was ample light for photographs. The light and colors are from the sun rising in the east highlighting the western sky and landscape. Taken during fall migration in early November at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge where just a short hike will lead you to the bay and a very nice bird blind for photographers and bird watchers. The refuge is located in northern Oklahoma near the towns of Jet and Cherokee. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211101-...

American Avocet Minimalism by Debra Martz While I was busy keeping my eye tuned to a few certain Pelicans, I saw something coming from the corner of my eye. Two small Avocets flying into the scene; so small compared to the huge White Pelicans but so similar with their underbody of white and black wing tips. Captured at the spillway of Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma during fall migration. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20210929-DSC_6352.NEF

Northern Flicker Cross ©Debra Martz When I first saw this Northern Flicker I thought immediately that it was the Red-shafted male due to the red mustache. But, then looking at it on my computer I noticed a red patch on its nape which is something the Yellow-shafted variety has. So I've concluded that this is a cross of the two subspecies (Red-shafted x Yellow-shafted Intergrade). The two Northern Flicker subspecies are the red-shafted and the yellow-shafted of which both can be found in Oklahoma. The male red-shafted has a red mustache while the male yellow-shafted has a black mustache and a red patch on the nape. Observed at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet, OK. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galle...

This litle Carolina Chickadee was singing beautifully deep in the trees. I followed its sounds until it appeared to be closer. At first I didn't see it until I looked straight up high in the treetop. Captured at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge along the Eagle Roost trail located in northern Oklahoma. Digital filter and soft digital brushes applied to my original photograph for a slight painterly effect. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Feathered Friends2" "Digital Art Photography" 20210328-DSC_2655-Edit

Bald Eagle In Flight by Debra Martz Just as we decided to call the day of bird watching done and pulled out onto the highway to head home, I spotted a Bald Eagle in a tree. We were crossing a bridge and as soon as we made it to the end we pulled off of the road. I jumped out and headed across the bridge by foot in hopes that it would still be there but it wasn't. However, I turned to look out over and across the river and saw it making circles in the sky! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20211202-DSC_9874

This portion of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River in Oklahoma is just below the spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake. The upper portion of this image is the Riverroad Campground where we like to spend time especially during Spring and Fall bird migration. Was odd to see the campground completely empty on this January day as there are usually at least a few campers even when not the best weather. On the lower bank of good ol' Oklahoma red dirt are 3 American White Pelicans and a lone Great Blue Heron reflecting in the water. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210121-DSC_3072.NEF

Migrating Pelicans at Rest by Debra Martz Large numbers of American White Pelicans continued to arrive at the Great Salt Plains State Park. It is a stopping point along their route south to fill on fish. After working together herding fish they moved to the the edge of the spillway to rest and some did some preening. The state park is in northern Oklahoma near Jet. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20201022-DSC_1352.NEF

Cormorant On The Rocks ©Debra Martz A lone juvenile double-crested Cormorant sat quietly and watched the others depart. Captured this image at the Great Salt Plains state park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20220401-DSC_1145.NEF

Pelican Togetherness by Debra Martz These two appeared to be paired together and still looking a bit dreamy eyed on this early morning. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_6958.NEF

Large Gathering of Cormorants by Debra Martz After I made my way all the way to the top steps of the spillway and looked beyond toward the dam, I was quite surprised by this Gulp of Double-breasted Cormorants! Yes, I knew this was part of their fall migration but I had not seen them gathered on the edge of the dam like this previously. A group of cormorants has many collective nouns, including a "gulp", "flight", "rookery", "sunning", and "swim" of cormorants. Captured at The Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211101-DSC_8186

American White Pelican Fishing Alone by Debra Martz I had been watching the Pelicans at the spillway for over 45 minutes with some fishing together and others alone like this one. The morning light plays an important part of the colors of the water. Only 18 minutes earlier the water was all solid gold during the golden hour; now only parts of the ripples are still reflecting that gold. Captured at the Great Salt Plains in northern Oklahoma during fall migration. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Feathered Friends 2" 20210929-DSC_6309.NEF

American White Pelican Early Morning Blues by Debra Martz I had been watching the Pelicans at the spillway for over 45 minutes with some fishing together and others alone like this one. The morning light plays an important part of the colors of the water. Only 18 minutes earlier the water was all solid gold during the golden hour; now only parts of the ripples are still reflecting that gold. Captured at the Great Salt Plains in northern Oklahoma during fall migration. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Feathered Friends 2" 20210929-DSC_6303.NEF

Tree of Vultures by Debra Martz It was the end of September and fall migration was in full swing. I go to the Great Salt Plains State Park quite often for bird watching and I've taken some photos of birds in this old, neatly shaped dead tree in the past. But this was the first time I had seen it outlined with the migrating Turkey Vultures. Scientific Name: Cathartes aura ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210928-DSC_6186

Sand Creek Bay Bird Blind Black and White by Debra Martz I've spent many many hours in this bird blind since discovering it after our move to northern Oklahoma in 2019. There are a few ducks out there this morning. BUT fall migration is spectacular when thousands upon thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Geese and Ducks of many varieties and shore birds arrive to spend some time here before moving on south for the winter. Located in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge along the Eagle Roost Trail. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20220131-IMG_8944 Bird Blind-Edit.tif

What can I say? There are times that you arrive when the bird departs. I made it to the bottom of the spillway where the Great Salt Plains Lake flows into the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River in N. Oklahoma; a place that many birds like to fish. And though this Snowy Egret flew away, I was happy seeing it and others that had returned from their winter migration to the south. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210429-DSC_3623

Profile of a Snowy Egret with sparkling bokeh coming from the light on the water. Captured at Great Salt Plains State Park in norhtern Oklahoma on the lower level of the spillway. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210429-DSC_3615

Posing Turkey Vulture by Debra Martz There is a sidewalk and stairs along each level of the spillway that I walk while bird watching. Rarely are there birds on the railings with the exception of the Turkey Vultures especially during fall migration. There were 4 here together but 3 flew immediately upon seeing me. This one, howeve, decided to just hold its own spot which allowed me a few closeup up photos. Great Salt Plains State Park is located near Jet and Cherokee, Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211001-DSC_6624.NEF

Disorderly Conduct by Debra Martz Sort of looks like a chaotic mess of birds with no rhyme nor reason as to their movements. Some leaving by air, while some were landing and others moving across the water in all directions. All I know is that there were large numbers of Double-crested Cormorants and Ring-billed Gulls on the move during fall migration. There could be some other Gulls in this mix as I had seen Franklin and Herring Gulls earlier. Captured at the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211101-DSC_8219.NEF

Sun Peeking Over the Dam ©Debra Martz I had been standing and watching the changing colors and light of the sky for 30 minutes or so when the sun finally made its appearance over the dam. Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Beautiful Snowy Performance by Debra Martz I could not believe what I was seeing on this particular morning. I've watched Snowy Egrets "fish" for many years. They position themselves in an area and watch the water closely before probing for a fish as they see it go by them. But on this morning, several Snowies were leaving the peninsula and half running, half dragging their feet while stirring up some fish and then would nab on the go! It was a most spectacular sight to witness! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_7110.NEF Captured below the spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma.

Nescatunga Chimney Fireplace With Decorated Mantle by Debra Martz Nescatunga is a small, unincorporated town in Oklahoma that is adjacent to the Great Salt Plains State Park. I drive the narrow road between the two when out bird watching and that was when I noticed an older home had been torn down. I thought it was very cool that they left the fireplace and chimney with a decorated mantle! I will be watching to see if they rebuild a new home on the foundation. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: 20220113-DSC_0476-Edit.tif

After two weeks of below freezing weather, I was surprised to see the American White Pelicans at the Great Salt Plains Lake. I had previously been made aware that there were some resident ones that did not migrate but I really thought they might have headed somewhere else. Most of the lake was still frozen, so they were all in the only area that had thawed. They were already showing signs of breeding season with the yellow plate which forms on the top of the bills of breeding adults. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections "Feathered Friends2" "Digital Art" 20210223-DSC_4153-Edit.tif

This was one very busy Roadrunner, running back and forth chasing and catching insects. Most every time we visit this state park, we see Greater Roadrunners yet Cornell Lab Merlin app lists them as uncommon. Greater Roadrunners are large cuckoos and also known by the name of Chaparral and scientific name Geococcyx californianus Captured at the Great Salt Plainis State Park in Northern Oklahoma ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection "Feathered Friends 2" 20210203-DSC_3403-Edit.tif

American White Pelican Calmly Watching by Debra Martz A single pelican was standing calmly on the dry spillway...maybe wondering where all the fish had gone. Captured at the Great Salt Plains State Park in Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 20231022-DSC_8806.NEF