Socks
Description: "Elegant Wild Grass Stem" I enjoy finding the simple things in nature. This tall, bending single stem of grass looked elegant to me, as it caught the light and gently swayed with the light breeze. Seen along a hiking trail in Port Aransas, Texas, while out bird watching. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 202520170917-DSC_0866 AI Text: A single wild grass stem gracefully bends against a dark, blurred background. The delicate seeds catch the light beautifully. Photography by Debra Martz
Description: It is fall migration time and many birds have made their way to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Oklahoma. There were upwards of 10,00 Sandhill Cranes in the bay. This is one small grouping as they continued to fly out for the day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251112-DSC_9297
Description: “Heart of The Tree” I discovered this tree top with the shape of a heart several years ago and then started photographing it in different seasons. It is along one of the gravel roads that goes through the marshlands of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northern Oklahoma. This image was taken in May of 2025. In June 2025, a high straight-line wind storm went through much of north-central Oklahoma. I returned to the refuge a few weeks after the storm to find many downed trees throughout, this one included. The storm also took down trees that had held Bald Eagle nests for years. So happy to have taken this photograph when it was nearly full of Spring leaves. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: “Mountain Chickadee On A Tree Branch” I watched this Mountain Chickadee as it flitted through high branches, and at times even hung upside down like a Nuthatch, to pluck insects or seeds from cones. Photographed while hiking in Wild Rivers Recreation Area near Questa, New Mexico. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 202520170918-DSC_0891
Description: "Heron Stalking Amidst Reeds" Many Herons, like this Green Heron, are very patient and move slowly when in search of prey. This one was still watching and stalking, even when I finally turned to move on with my bird watching. Photographed at Paradise Pond in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251014-DSC_8414
Description: "Vibrant Heart-Shaped Leaves" A beautiful vine with leaves of hearts that I noticed along a hiking trail in Port Aransas, Texas. I cropped the image for an elongated composition and applied a digital smudge filter to soften the background. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Trees Shrubs Nature" 20251014-DSC_8399
Description: "Flock of Sandhill Cranes in Flight' It is fall migration time, and many birds have made their way to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Oklahoma. There were 1,000s of Sandhill Cranes that arrive at the refuge's bay annually. This is one small grouping, as small flocks continued to fly out for the day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251112-DSC-9368
Description: "Flock of Cranes At the Wetlands" Thousands of Sandhill Cranes, ducks, shorebirds, and some endangered Whooping Cranes use this important bird area, especially during Fall Migration. Every year, during November and early December, I make the short 45-mile drive to witness the many birds. On this day, I did see several of the endangered Whooping Cranes with the use of a scope as they were on the far back edge of the bay. Photographed at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Oklahoma from the Eagle Roost trail in November. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collections: "Feathered Friends" 20251112-DSC_9330
Description: "Sandhill Cranes Soaring in Blue Sky" It fall migration time and many birds have made their way to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Oklahoma. There were upwards of 10,00 Sandhill Cranes in the bay. This is one small grouping as they continued to fly out for the day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251112-DSC_9297
Description: "Outgoing Ship at Port Aransas Texas" I was originally happy that the two seagulls were on the beach to add to the overall composition of the outgoing ship, but, as always, I snapped off several pictures and was super happy when a third seagull flew overhead. This ship is nearing the end of the jetties of the ship channel at Port A, Texas. The ship channel leads to the port of Corpus Christi, where ships load and unload. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Coastal" 20251017-2016
Description: "Family of Canada Geese" Captured this moment in Spring when wildlife are raising and teaching their young ones. Canada Geese usually have 2 to 8 goslings per clutch, with 5 being the average, so four in this family is close to average. Photographed at the Great Salt Plains State Park in Northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250501-DSC_7270
Description: Pelican Floating in The Ship Channel" I had been watching for Dolphins in the ship channel when this Brown Pelican landed and decided to float around for a while. Captured from the jetties along the ship channel in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251013-DSC_8350
Description: “Reddish Egret Putting On A Show” This is the White Morph Reddish Egret putting on a show as it forages in shallow saltwater. These Egrets are known for racing back and forth, opening and closing their wings, and stirring up sediment with their feet, all in pursuit of small fish. Captured from the boardwalk over the wetlands of Charlie’s Pasture in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251013-DSC_8336
Description: "Underwater Jellyfish and Seaweed" I was walking along a boardwalk over the wetlands in Port Aransas, Texas, looking for birds. The water was slightly deeper in some areas, and that is where I came upon several Jellyfish. I think this might be the Moon Jellyfish. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Coastal"
Description: "Dragonfly on a Spent Flower" A Black Saddlebag landed on a spent sunflower head along the nature trail in Port Aransas, Texas. Proof that being out birdwatching leads to many surprises in nature. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Butterflies Bees Insects" 20251013-DSC_8316
Description: "Underneath Horace Caldwell Pier" I was wishing for some large rolling waves to crash on the pilings of the pier, but it was a beautiful and calm day. But I did get a Pigeon top in the center that I had not counted on, so all was good. This pier is located on the Port Aransas beach in Southern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Coastal" 20252016-1909
Description: "Laughing Gull Deep In Thought" It was so deep in thought while looking at the water just below that it didn't move the slightest as I approached it on the boardwalk. Captured in the early morning along the boardwalk at Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251013-DSC_8253
Description: "Pelican Gliding on Tranquil Water" As autumn migration progressed, numerous birds were making their way to South Texas. I observed a variety of shorebirds, diverse waterfowl, and the stunning American White Pelicans as they settled into this freshwater wetland region. Captured along the boardwalk at Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 2025-10-13-DSC_8241
Description: "Just Before Sunrise" The birds were arriving at the beach, and ships were awaiting entry to the ship channel that would take them to the Corpus Christi Port. It was just minutes before the sun would reach the horizon at Port Aransas, Texas. The colors and clouds made for a beautiful, dramatic start to a new day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collections: "Coastal" "Sky Sunrise Sunset Clouds" "Texas" 20251014-DSC_3295
Description: “Pelican Gliding on Water” As autumn migration progressed, numerous birds were making their way to South Texas. I observed a variety of shorebirds, diverse waterfowl, and the stunning American White Pelicans as they settled into this freshwater wetland region. Captured along the boardwalk at Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 2025-10-13-DSC_8236
Description: "Grackle Perched on a Rail" This female Great-tailed Grackle appeared to be deep in thought as it gazed out across the marsh from the railing on the boardwalk. It was 30 minutes after sunrise, and I was still seeing the effects of the golden morning light. Captured from the boardwalk at Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251013-DSC_8216
Description: "Pair of Black-Necked Stilts in Flight" From a boardwalk over the wetlands, I watched as the early morning birds flew in to begin their morning feeding rituals. Captured along the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251013-DSC_8185
Description: “Egret Wading in Golden Water” The birds were busy searching for morning food, like this Reddish Egret that had just dunked its bills underwater. Less than 15 minutes after sunrise, the water was glowing with some golden tones between the ripples. Captured along the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251013-DSC_8170
Description: "Sparrow on a Wire Fence" When birdwatching at the wildlife refuge, I most always enter from a gravel road that first passes a private farm. The fence along its border often rewards me with some birds; today it was this little Lark Sparrow. Photographed near the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20250501-DSC_7289
Description: "Great Blue Heron in Early Morning" It was just before sunrise, and the birds were out and positioning themselves for their morning feeding. Captured from the nature trail in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251013-DSC_8115
Description: "Kirkjufell Mountain on a Cloudy Day" Kirkjufell is a 463-meter (1,519-feet) tall mountain on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Its name means "Church Mountain" in Icelandic because its cone shape looks like a church steeple. The mountain stands by itself on the north coast near the fishing town of Grundarfjordur. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Europe” 20250524-DSC_2332
Description: "Majestic Mountain with Reflection" Kirkjufell is a 463-meter (1,519-feet) tall mountain on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Its name means "Church Mountain" in Icelandic because its cone shape looks like a church steeple. The mountain stands by itself on the north coast near the fishing town of Grundarfjordur. I used digital brushes to add some artistry to my photograph. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Europe” 20250524-DSC_2321
Description: “The Londrangar Cliffs” The Lóndrangar Cliffs, made of dense basalt from ancient lava flows, formed the towering pillars, with the tallest reaching 75 meters. Shaped over thousands of years by erosion, these rugged formations stand as dark sentinels against coastal winds. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Europe” 20250524-DSC_2288
Description: “Londrangar Rocky Castles” Along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, two impressive sea stacks emerge from the terrain. These are the Lóndrangar formations, ancient volcanic basalt structures that soar up to 75 meters high. Over many millennia, natural forces have shaped these remnants of old lava flows into towering, jagged spires. They are often described as a natural rocky castle along Iceland’s coast. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Europe” 202505124-DSC_2281
