Debra Martz Mugs

Abandoned in New Mexico Near Capulin Volcano by Debra Martz I was traveling west on highway 87 in New Mexico, when I saw these abandoned buildings and windmill. The rising mountain in the background is Capulin Volcano National Monument. You can see the road cut into the side which winds to the other side to the top. There is a trail at the top with views of portions of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "New Mexico" "Digital Art Photography" 202220210906-2021-09-06-IMG_5326 Converted my original photograph to black and white and added several textures for the finish.

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

Splash of a Landing by Debra Martz It is fun to watch Cormorants land and take off from water. They always make several splashes when landing and even more on take-off as they sort of get a running start. This was on take-off which I thought was cool with the circular splash made by this Double-crested Cormorant. Captured at the spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma. For enhancement, I added a vignette and some digital film grain. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Feathered Friends 3" "Digital Art Photography" 20211202-DSC_9804

Meeting on the Edge by Debra Martz This group of American White Pelicans seemed to be content just chillin' on the edge of the spillway. Some doing a little preening and others just looking around, as if wondering what to do for the day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211001-DSC_6642-Edit.tif Original photograph captured in northern Oklahoma during fall migration at the south spillway in the Great Salt Plains State Park. Painterly effect created in Topaz with multiple layers.

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

Lafayette Square New Orleans Louisiana The park is across the street from Gallier Hall on St Charles Avenue. It has 3 bronze statues, the front one in this image for John McDonogh and back/left of Henry Clay. There is also one of Benjamin Franklin facing Camp Street but not shown here. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collection: "New Orleans, Louisiana" 20210513-DSC_4861 A TLWilson texture has been added to my original photograph.

Sand Creek Bay Bird Blind 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 spectactular when thousands upon thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Geese and Ducks of many varities 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 In My Gallery/Collection: "Oklahoma" 20220131-IMG_8944 Bird Blind-Edit.tif

When seen at a distance, they appear black but close up and with the sun shining on them they are beautiful. And though they may be beautiful, they can be a pest, especially when they arrive at backyard feeders in large groups. They are not native to the USA but they are the most abundant of all songbirds with a range from Alaska to Mexico. 100 birds were set free in New York's Central Park in the early 1890s by a group who wanted America to have all the birds that Shakespeare ever mentioned. Unbelievable that now there are more than 200 million European Starlings! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210215-72D_3941-Edit.tif

There I was, trying to walk very quietly through all the fallen leaves on the trail so I wouldn't scare off any of the birds or waterfowl. I didn't even make it to the bird blind before this large group of ducks took to the air and then landed again further back in the marshy field. At first I thought it was all Mallards but then noticed several Green-winged Teals were in the Duck Rush, too. The Casey Tower Trail is along the Auto Tour in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge located near Jet and Cherokee, Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20201112-DSC_1928-Edit.tif

Cow Parsnip Infrared by Debra Martz While hiking the Goose Creek Trail near Red River, New Mexico, one couldn't help but notice how lush the nature of in the forest was. While I saw the one large insect, my main focus was that of the white blooms of the Cowparsnip. Once I zoomed in on my computer to view, I was surprised at just how many insects were enjoying this wildflower! With this image, once did an infrared conversion and used a smudge tool, most of the insects justs blended in except the larger one on the right. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20200629-DSC_0739-Edit-Edit.tif

Yellow on Yellow by Debra Martz It was early October and already having some cool nights. Therefore, while bird watching at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge I was constantly scanning the ground and the sides of the trail for snakes out warming in the sun. But this scan brought into view the yellow Clouded Sulphur Butterfly on the yellow wildflower. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20201008-DSC_0622.NEF

While on a short road trip, we stopped at the Meridian State Park in Texas and drove the scenic roads through the park. On the west side of the lake, there was an "arm" of water filled with the tall, emergent Water Lotus. Several digital filters and brushes have been used to create this work from my original photograph. ©Debra Martz

Port Aransas. Texas is a wonderful birding area during spring and fall migration. This was the first time I had seen the Philadelphia Vireo on its Spring Journey heading north to its breeding grounds in Canada. ©Debra Martz In My Gallery/Collection "Feather Friends2" 20190512-DSC_0482.NEF

Take a walk around Taos, New Mexico in the summer and you will see Hollyhocks growing prolifically all around town. This tall, pink and backlit hollyhock was growing in the garden at the Historic Taos Inn where we stayed a few nights in July. The hollyhock is the official flower of the Taos Garden Club and has long since been unofficially accepted as the floral symbol of the Town of Taos. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Flora" 20210720-DSC_4231

Located right next to the French Quarter, the Riverwalk is 1.3 miles long. It is a great scenic trail along the Mighty Mississippi with hotels, mall and several opportunities for steamboat rides. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4739

Early Morning American White Pelicans in Black and White by Debra Martz I love fall migration in northern Oklahoma. The American White Pelicans, Cormorants, Seagulls of several varieties arrive in large numbers as a resting area for a few weeks as they fish the waters of the lake, river and at the spillway. Two pelicans here are taking a brief break from fishing the waters at the spillway. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_6944-Edit.tif

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

With a little diversion off the Red River the Carson National Forest Service created Eagle Rock Lake between Red River and Questa, NM on Hwy 38. It has become a popular little lake for fishing and there is also a series of trails around and beyond. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20200629-DSC_0768

Roadrunner Running the Road by Debra Martz At first this Greater Roadrunner was headed up the road toward me when it stopped, turned 90 degrees and took off running away from me. Roadrunners aka Chapparals can fly, but they usually do not. Instead, they run at speeds up to 15mph. Scientific name: Geococcyx californianus ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20200830-DSC_8815

I discovered this old green abandoned house when I first moved to northern Oklahoma in 2019. Something about it has me taking photos each and every time I’m in the area. It’s the same yet always different as time and seasons go by. It looked beautiful to me on this day surrounded by sunflowers and beautiful clouds in the sky! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210929-IMG_6922-Edit.tif

Gull Going for the Fish by Debra Martz The Gulls were being fairly good at catching fish on this day though most they caught were small. This image doesn't show the fish but I liked that the yellow portion of this Ring-billed Gull's beak was visible just under water plus the bubble created from the dive. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20211202-DSC_9759

Take a stroll on the Riverwalk of New Orleans for the beautiful scenery or for the unique sights you might see. This is a small portion of love locks on a gated pier along the Mississippi River. Love Wins! Love Lock Tradition ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4749-Edit.tif

Kayaking to the Spillway by Debra Martz If you read my descriptions on my bird photography, you might recall my mention of the spillway as the location. It is one of my favorite places to bird watch in this state park. But after the birds do their morning feedings and preening in the water, they all but disappear until evening. I only see one lone seagull in this image myself. Just like the birds possibly, I was back to my comfortable place taking a break just after high noon. I had a quick lunch then went back outside and saw this couple kayaking so went back in the RV for the camera. The people give the image a sense of scale and the textures on the flowing water and those reflections were shining bright and very picturesque to...

Take a stroll on the Riverwalk of New Orleans for the beautiful scenery or for the unique sights you might see. This is a small portion of love locks on a gated pier along the Mississippi River. Love Wins! Love Lock Tradition ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4749-Edit.tif

When I stepped into the second room of the old train Depot museum at Uptop, Colorado, this vintage pitcher and basin in the window caught my attention. I especially like that I could angle the composition to get the Chapel of the Wayside as background. ©Debra Martz 2021-09-18 All Rights Reserved

Old Faithful Yellowstone by Debra Martz This famous geyser in Yellowstone was named for its frequent and rather predictable eruptions. As of the summer of 2021 those eruptions numbered more than a million since Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "U.S. National Parks" 202220140908-DSC_4916.NEF

The Dog Bar Cachara Colorado by Debra Martz The Dog Bar is known as the "Heart and Soul of Cuchara" for good reason. They've been serving up burgers, pizzas and drinks since it was established in 1980 and this place continues to be a staple in the Cuchara Valley. Located on scenic byway 12, aka the Highway of Legends, it is just a short drive south of La Veta, CO. I've enjoyed some good food and good live music there. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210915-DSC_4793

Dropped A Bite by Debra Martz While hiking along the Big Tree Trail I first spotted this squirrel on the ground digging, looking for a nut or some type of food. It found what it was after and ran up the side of this leaning tree. But, oops, it dropped a good portion of its food find. Captured at Aranasas National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 202220160304-DSC_2830-En

Frog in the Sunlight by Debra Martz As I walked the trail along the stream frogs were jumping into the water. I came to a bridge and looked down when I spotted this one with the sun shining brightly upon it. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 202220160304-DSC_3072

Young Alligator by Debra Martz While crossing the bridge, I stopped to view the frogs I had been hearing from the trail. Not only were there frogs, there were a number of young alligators. That got me to wondering, "Where are the parents; the big and fast ones!" Captured at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 20160304-DSC_3107

Whitetail Dragonfly by Debra Martz The Common Whitetail dragonfly is seen across much of North America, with a striking and unusual appearance. The male's chunky white body (about 2 inches long), combined with the brownish-black bands on its translucent wings, give it a checkered look. The white on the abdomen, found only in mature males, is displayed to other males as a territorial threat. I saw several varites of dragonflies this day while actually out bird watching along the Eagle Roost Trail in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Reserve in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210622-DSC_4036

Pelican Feeding Frenzy At the Lake by Debra MartzThe Pelicans Found the Fish by Debra Martz I was taken by surprise when we pulled into the Sandy Beach campground and saw this large group of American White Pelicans fishing next to the dam. I thought all but the few resident pelicans had moved on south but on this January day there were many more than the normal count. This is just another small section of the line of pelicans that were fishing together. Unlike many birds that are territorial, these Pelicans work together herding fish into shallow waters where they dip their head under, scoop, then raise their heads and gulp down the catch. Captured at the lake in the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra...

The San Miguel Mission in Socorro New Mexico had fallen into such bad shape that it was closed in 2010. In November 2013, the Conrad Hilton Foundation awarded a $1.1 million grant. It is now restored, beautiful and an active Catholic Church. Missions were important parts of the trade routes traveled by Spanish and Indian alike. During the Spanish colonial period in New Mexico, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior), was the major trade route between Mexico City and Santa Fe in New Mexico. The Royal Road passed the village of the Pilabó, home to the Piro Indians which is near today's Socorro, NM. The Piro met Spanish settlers when Oñate's expedition stopped there, and later a Franciscan mission was started in ...

Curious Male House Finch by Debra Martz I watched as the Finch would look toward our backyard feeders and then back to me. Possibly curious to know if it was okay to move from the safety of its position in the upper part of the tree. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20210102-DSC_2761-Enhanced.dng

I had just returned from walking the 2 mile trail at the RV park hoping to get some bird photos. I heard a few but saw none! So, of course, just as I sat down in my lawn chair along came several Canyon Towhees scurrying from one bush to the next foraging on the ground. This one stopped momentarily right in front of me. Montebello RV Park iin El Prado, New Mexico near Taos ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20210912-DSC_4573

Just one of several varieties of coneflowers in my backyard. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Flora" "Digital Art Photography" 20210801-2021-08 Backyard Pink Coneflowers-Edit.tif