Aves Socks
Description: "Snowy Egret in Tranquil Waters" Many ponds at Estero Llano Grande attract a large variety of birds. This was taken at the first pond near the visitors' center. The state park is located in Weslaco, Texas, about 5 minutes from the Rio Grande at the Texas/Mexico border. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20260325-_DSC0678 AI Text: A white egret stands in shallow water, perfectly reflected on the surface. It is surrounded by a calm, natural setting with green vegetation.
Description: "Cormorant Preening on a Branch" It stayed busy preening for a while after it made a return to the branch overhanging Alligator Lake. Photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park, located in Weslaco, Texas, in the area known as the Rio Grande Valley. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20260325_DSC0848 AI Text: A cormorant with glossy black feathers spreads its wings on a branch. The natural green backdrop adds to the tranquil setting.
Description: "Altamira Oriole Peeking Through the Leaves" The largest of the Orioles in the USA, the Altamira can be found from the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas to Nicaragua. I photographed this one at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which offers many hiking trails through different habitats. I always birdwatch at this refuge every time I'm in the far South of Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20260326-_DSC1019 AI Text: A vibrant orange bird with striking black markings perches among dense green foliage. The bird's colorful plumage contrasts with the muted background, creating a vivid scene.
Description: "Kiskadee Enjoying the Sunshine" It was a beautiful morning for a hike as the sun was rising enough to filter through the trees. This Great Kiskadee seemed to enjoy the warmth it provided as it stared up at the light. Photographed at Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, located in Texas, in the area known as the Rio Grande Valley. Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20260327_DSC1279 AI Text: A small bird with a white and yellow breast sits on a tree branch. The background is a soft focus of green foliage.
Description: "Mottled Duck Reflecting on the Pond" This male Mottled Duck was calmly floating in place on the still pond water. Photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends: 20260325-_DSC0701 AI Text: A duck glides serenely across a calm pond, surrounded by scattered lily pads. The water reflects its image, creating a mirror-like effect.
Description: "Cormorant Profile Portrait" It stayed busy preening for a while after returning to the branch overhanging Alligator Lake, which in turn allowed me time to get both full-length and close-up portrait shots. Photographed at Estero Llano Grande State Park, located in Weslaco, Texas, in the area known as the Rio Grande Valley. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20260325_DSC0855 AI Text: A detailed photograph of a cormorant bird with a blurred green background. The bird's sharp features and dark plumage are highlighted in the image.
Description: Single Killdeer ©Debra Martz In February I came across a pair of Killdeer (a type of Plover) on a backroad in northern Oklahoma. One stayed still and back a little ways while this one stopped near the edge of the dirt road and started its call which sounded like it was repeating its name...kill deer kill deer...then it would pause and listen. I took a few photos from the vehicle and moved along. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20200222-DSC_7064.NEF
Description: Great Blue Heron Hiding In the Mangroves ©Debra Martz Perhaps it thought it was in hiding but they are so large that is rather difficult to go unseen. Captured from a boardwalk over some wetlands on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: 'Feathered Friends' 20240229-DSC_9828
Description: Bright Eyed Osprey ©Debra Martz It had no plans of going anywhere, outlasting bird watchers and photographers hoping for that taking flight shot. Captured along the 4800 ft boardwalk at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center the last day of February. I edited the back ground to mute the light brown and green grasses, and the light gray sky to almost black and white. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230228-DSC_6874.NEF
Description: Roseate Spoonbill On the Move ©Debra Martz. I had been watching quite a few of the spoonbills for awhile but most were just at rest on some logs in the water. After I moved on, I looked back to see that a few had decided rest time was over and time to get back moving and hunting. Captured along the 4800 ft boardwalk at South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center the last day of February. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230228-DSC_6897.NEF
