Debra Martz Tank Tops

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

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

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

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

Getting Ready for the Day by Debra Martz After doing some early fishing, this American White Pelican stood on one of the edges of the spillway preening its feathers as if getting ready for the day! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_6991 Image captured from the South Spillway of the Great Salt Plains Lake located in northern Oklahoma near the towns of Jet and Cherokee.

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

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

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

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

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...

Mountain View From Hogback Trail in Lathrop State Park by Debra Martz Lathrop State Park in SE Colorado is located about 3 miles west of Walsenburg. It has two lakes and is surrounded by mountains. This view is looking west, toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains, across the Pinyon-Juniper landscape topped with beautiful clouds. Clouds! I didn't see the near perfect heart in the clouds until I uploaded on my computer! Do you see it? ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Colorado" 20210919-DSC_5303.NEF

Area Beyond This Sign Closed by Debra Martz A small portion of the 11,000 acreas of salt flats within the Salt Plains National Refuge is open to the public April 1 through October 15 each year. There is a designated area where digging for the Selenite Crystals is allowed. The rest of the area is preserved for wildlife and birds, more specifially for the fall and spring migration of birds included several endangered and at risk species. Unfortunately, as you can see, some people just have to break the rules and act in unlawful ways. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Nature's Treasures" 20200921-DSC_2023-Edit.tif

It is April and it is breeding season. Most birds change colors in plumage during this season or get additional features. The American White Pelicans grow a plate on the top of their massive bills and the colors of the bill become much more vibrant. They are a migratory bird that mainly breeds in the north and into Canada but some have become residents of the Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma so I get to see them in all their phases. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 2021-04-08-DSC_2793

Ring-billed Gull Gliding Quietly by Debra Martz Several gulls were quietly gliding over the spillway. I chose this one to focus on because with each circle around it was coming a bit closer to where I was. A wonderful winter day filled with sunshine highlighted the gull and brought out the colors of nature in the background. Captured at the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20220113-DSC_0320-E

Wahatoya Lake is one of two small mountain lakes located near quaint La Veta, Colorado with a loop trail around it. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210914-DSC_4665-Enhanced.dng

Squiggly Lines in the Sand by Debra Martz I was walking along the Sandpiper Trail when I noticed those squiggly lines near the waters edge.. I have no idea what living creature made it but thought it looked cool. Just the simplest of things in nature intrigue me and set my mind to wondering. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Nature Treasures" 20211008-DSC_7631-Edit.tif

Oh the memories as a kid ready and willing to help Mom lick and stick those stamps in the redemption books! Just another treasure of memorablia in the Classical Gas Museum in Embudo, New Mexico. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "New Mexico" 20210720-DSC_4326-Edit.tif

While the snow on the branches is gone the temps are brutal getting below zero at night. One method for birds to stay warm is to fluff their feathers to hold in warm air. We have supplied steady food and water during this crazy, cold winter system and at some points as many as 60-70 of these American Goldfinches have been present. They come and go all day; daylight until dark. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210213-DSC_3715.NEF

We enjoy going to the Great Salt Plains State Park and staying a week or two in our RV. We prefer the campground that is right on the water's edge which is great for sunrises and reflecting scenes like this in the early morning light. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20201003-DSC_2409

Red Dragon Pirate Ship by Debra Martz The Red Dragon can be found out for a fun, swashbuckling good time complete with pirate crew to entertain children to adults. It cruises the waters around Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, Texas. There are trips for the whole family and those for adults only. (Some more info from their website: When her cannons roar, you'll think you're in the middle of a 17th century naval battle. She mounts 10 cannons, fired by computer with a full range of visual and audio effects. Due to her galleon hull configuration, Black Dragon is "sea sweet" and rides like a luxury liner, but she is so nimble, she can turn on her own radius. She can actually execute a 360 degree turn with her mainmast fixed to a posit...

Located in Chimayo, New Mexico across from the historic church, el Santuario de Chimayo. Serveral other small businesses are along this short street. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Signs" "New Mexico" "Digital Art Photography" 20210720-DSC_4289-Edit.tif

I was walking around the south spillway area of the Great Salt Plains State Park when I noticed a number of Bearded Irises. I crossed the parking area to get to the first one and saw that they were growing at a number the campsites. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Flora 20210429-DSC_3403.NEF

While walking the New Orleans Riverwalk, I noticed a garden bed with these Agapanthus flowers in the budding stage. They were far enough apart that I could isolate just one. I've blackened the green background and created a multi-depth purple vignette/frame to where it appears the flower is moving out of the frame. AKA African Lily, Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus praecox, Blue Lily, Common agapanthus ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4771-Edit.tif

Autumn Interrupted By Ice by Debra Martz We had a surprise ice storm October 26-27, 2020. Icicles hung from the eaves all around the house. Trees lost limbs and power outages were all over town. Then a few days later the temps were back in the 70s F. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20201027-DSC_1497.NEF

I love walking around the Taos Plaza in New Mexico and surrounding area. It’s full of shops, places to eat and every summer it is bright and cheerfully filled with colorful, beautiful flowers in gardens and hanging baskets! It’s so delightful, to me, to stroll by Sunflowers and Hollyhocks that tower over my head! Copyright Debra Martz In my Gallery/Collections: “Flora” "Digital Art Photography" 20210720-DSC_4233

Majestic Young Eagle Departure by Debra Martz For me, even at a young, sub-adult age, this Bald Eagle appears majestic. It became the highlight of a day of bird watching. We had decided it was time to head home but why not make one more drive by the lake area behind the cabins? What a great decision! We were turning right into the parking area and stopped quickly at the sight of this Eagle on the bare tree branches. I very quietly exited the truck and was so appreciative that this regal beauty stayed at the top of this dead tree long enough for me to snap about a dozen images before and during its departure. Beautiful end to the day of bird watching. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Fri...

Blue Doors and Adobe Walls, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico by Debra Martz If you go exploring around Taos, New Mexico, you will find many blue doors, shutters and window frames. When paired with adobe it makes a striking contrast. There are as many theories as there are hues of blue as to why they paint them blue. From keeping evil spirits at bay to stopping insects from flying into the home and everything in between such as peace, royalty, the blue sky and shimmering sea are some examples associated with the blue doors. This example is in the historic plaza Ranchos de Taos located by the famous and historic San Francisco de Asis Church. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 2021-20200701-DSC_1088

Bear Crossing at Wild Rivers Recreation New Mexico by Debra Martz Leaving the Chiflo stop, travel another approximate one mile south into the Wild Rivers Recreation Area and you come to the stop for Bear Crossing. This is one of a few trails that I have not hiked here. It is outside of the fee area and the does not receive the same level of upkeep that the longer trails do which are within the fee area. This trail is rated as Extremely Difficult and within 25 feet at the beginning of the trailhead I always turn around with a same thought, " still not for me!" But stop for the views or a picnic at the table under the big old tree! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "New Mexico" "Landscapes and Landmark...

Black-necked Stilt Reflecting on the Day by Debra Martz Bird Watching in Port Aransas, Texas is one of my favorites! So many beautiful birds any time of year. This Stilt is a migratory bird, however, it can be see year-round in the coastal area of Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 202120190514-DSC_0678

Morning with the Egrets Black and White by Debra Martz Egrets can often be found fishing from the manmade penisulas at the bottom of the spillway. There is one on the south and one on the north bank below the spillway which narrows the flow into the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. Image converted to black and white. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211003-DSC_7039 The Great Salt Plains State Park is located in northern Oklahoma near Jet and Cherokee.

"I wonder if I can find some ground food now that some of the snow is gone?" queried this Wren. At least that is what it made me think. Food has been so scarce for the birds due to the extended period of ice and snow covered grounds. I love watching Caronlia Wrens as the scurry all about the yard and patio, stopping and searching and just being curious. And that curiousity led this little one to one of our pan feeders where it happily found plenty of a variety of seeds. Painterly effects applied to the foreground and background. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections "Feathered Friends2" "Digital Art " 20210213-DSC_3714-Edit.tif

...where the wind comes sweeping down the plain! Oh boy does it! Just look at he grasses leaning and blowing along highway 412 leaving New Mexico entering the OK panhandle. Digital brushes and smudge tools used for a painterly effect. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Oklahoma" "Digital Art P" 20210822-DSC_5015-Edit-Edit