Description: Buckeye Butterfly Macro by Debra Martz The Common Buckeye is aka Northern Buckeye and is a species of Brush-footed butterflies. Coneflowers attract many types of butterflies, bees, and other insects. They also attract birds as well. But in my backyard, it seems to be more of the insects than the birds. But that's okay; it gives me many opportunities to get photos with my 105mm macro lens. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Butterflies Bees Insects" 20240526-DSC_0508
Description: Roadside Scissor Tailed Flycatcher by Debra Martz Along one of the gravel roads in the Salt Plains NWR in northern Oklahoma, this individual was not bothered at all by our slow approach on the one-way road. It stayed on this small limb and allowed me time to take a few photos before we rolled onward, leaving it to watch for insects/food. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240916-DSC_1282.NEF
Description: American White Pelicans On The Move by Debra Martz We drove up to the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma to see if migration had started. I would say it was a big yes as far as the Pelicans go. We saw some cormorants, ducks, geese, seagulls, and one Bald Eagle but not the biggest numbers like in past years. But this was early September, the 8th, and the larger numbers of migrating birds in this area have been in early October for the last 5 years. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240908-DSC_1001.NEF
Description: Gray Hairstreak Butterfly Macro by Debra Martz Coneflowers attract many types of butterflies, bees, and other insects. They also attract birds as well. But in my backyard, it seems to be more of the insects than the birds. But that's okay; it gives me opportunities to get some photos with my 105mm macro lens. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Butterflies Bees Insects 20240526-DSC_0487
Description: Hot Pink Coneflower Macro by Debra Martz Coneflowers attract many types of butterflies, bees, and other insects and sometimes you can get a photo without one...but not often. Image taken with my 105mm macro lens. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Flora" 20240526-DSC_0476
Description: Crescent Butterfly Enjoying A Coneflower by Debra Martz Coneflowers attract many types of butterflies, bees, and other insects. They also attract birds as well. But in my backyard, it seems to be more of the insects than the birds. But that's okay; it gives me more opportunities to get photos with my 105mm macro lens. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Butterflies Bees Insects 20240526-DSC_0465
Description: Dead Nettle by Debra Martz Some say it's a groundcover but some say it's a weed...I learned this, after the fact, of buying this plant. Supposedly it spreads like crazy but it has not been the case in my backyard. It's currently growing in an area of about 3 ft x 3 ft, and that took 2 years! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Flora" 20240428-DSC_0324
Description: Coneflower New Beginnings by Debra Martz I have three Coneflower plants that have multiplied over the last few years. I'm slowly learning more about them and how to keep them blooming through the hot summers in northern Oklahoma. Though this image was taken in the Spring we are in September now and I'm still trimming and getting new flowers. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Flora" 20240428-DSC_0321.NEF
Description: Evening At This Old House by Debra Martz I've been taking photos of this abandoned house since discovering it in 2019. I take photographs in different seasons and times of day. And I'm always checking to see how much more of the roof, walls, windows, etc are failing. This stormy evening and the Turkey Vultures added to the overall sense of abandonment. Northern Oklahoma near Nescatunga. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240414-DSC_0276
Description: Barred Owl Perched in Spring Trees by Debra Martz We were driving slowly along the gravel road that leads into the Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge. In this entrance from the east side, the road narrows and dense trees are on both sides where we scan for birds. Excitement grew and we immediately stopped the truck when we spotted this Owl. It sat there calmly staring back at us allowing me to get a burst of photos before we rolled on leaving it to rest. The refuge is located in north central Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240414-DSC_0293
Description: Mrs Cardinal In The Morning Light by Debra Martz She was content to calmly perch on the swaying branch in the early morning. This image was captured along the Eagle Roost trail at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240414-DSC_0271
Description: Wild Berry Coneflower by Debra Martz A few Coneflowers started growing in one of my container pots this past Spring. Possibly "planted" by a bird as they enjoy the seeds of the ones I have planted in a flower bed. Of course, it could possibly been dispursed by the wind as we have more than our fair share of it in northern Oklahoma. I used Topaz Impressions to create the painterly finish using digital brushes and a few layers of textures. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240714-DSC_0939
Description: New Growth Heart Shaped Leaf by Debra Martz I just LOVE to spot hearts in nature! This new Redbud leaf is almost a perfectly shaped heart and it has a reddish color, also. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Trees Shrubs Nature" 20240714-DSC_0929 AI Alt Text: A branch with green and reddish-brown leaves is in focus while the background is blurred, creating a bokeh effect. Sunlight highlights the texture and colors of the leaves, giving a fresh and vibrant feeling. Photography by Debra Martz
Description: Rural Country in the Mountains by Debra Martz We enjoy driving the stretch of Highway 17 north of Chama, New Mexico up to the Cumbres Pass across the state line in Colorado. We also turn onto many dirt roads, often forest roads, that access private and public forest land. And I don't always know if we are in New Mexico or Colorado as the backroads cross back and forth over the line. This is just one of the beautiful reasons we love roaming this area. This is what summer in June looks like; lush and lovely with clouds building which often bring afternoon showers. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "New Mexico and Colorado" 20240610_3771
Description: Mountain Rose and Berries by Debra Martz Woods' Rose goes by several names: Interior Rose, Mojave Rose, Common Wild Rose, and Mountain Rose, which I have used since I was in the mountains of New Mexico. This bush was growing by the entrance to the visitor's center at Heron Lake State Park. At the end of summer, there will be no more flowers, but the berries (hips) remain throughout winter and attract wildlife. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Trees Shrubs Nature" "Flora" 20240610_3742
Description: Salmon Run Trail Heron Lake New Mexico by Debra Martz Salmon Run Trail – This trail is 5 miles long and extends from the visitor center to the dam. It passes a number of the park’s campgrounds as it winds through a forest of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak. The trail offers many scenic overlooks of the lake as you hike. Oh, and birds, I saw quite a variety of birds and one Mule Deer. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "New Mexico and Colorado" 20240610_3757 A lush forest landscape with a view of a distant lake framed by green coniferous trees under an overcast sky. The scene captures the natural beauty and tranquility of the wilderness. Photography by Debra Martz
Description: East Meadow Trail Lake Heron New Mexico by Debra Martz The trail is 2.4 miles and winds through pine trees and open meadows. It takes you to an overlook of the narrow Willow Creek arm of the lake. Lake Heron State Park is located in northern New Mexico south of Chama. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "New Mexico" "Landscapes and Landmarks" 20240610_3736
Description: San Jose Parish in Los Ojos New Mexico by Debra Martz Los Ojos is a small community about 12 south of Chama, NM. The Parishes of San Jose, Santo Niño (Tierra Amarilla), and St. Patrick (Chama) with their two Missions, San Juan Nepomuceno (Canjilon) and Santo Niño de Atocha (Cebolla), united to form the Catholic Community of "El Valle Católico, Nuestra Señora del Valle"
Description: Blacksmith Shop Chama New Mexico by Debra Martz You have to step inside the store on the right to see the impressive blacksmith items he has for sale. The knives, for one, are beautiful and well-made. Outside, as you see is all the fun and colorful stuff! I particularly like the sign over the entrance to his store: Made in Chama Not China We purchased a wall hat/coat rack for our entryway. Stop in and shop if you ever pass by this way. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Locomotive 484 Leaving Cumbres Pass ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved The train has completed its addition of water and has been cooled for the next leg of the journey. Cumbres Pass, in Colorado, is the highest point for this day trip at 10,015 feet elevation. The remainder of the journey is crossing the backcountry of Colorado and New Mexico, where the tourists in the train cars will experience beautiful scenery, crossing over high trestles and passing through dark tunnels. I've been train-chasing from Chama, NM to this location most of the morning and will give up the chase here. I've taken several day trips on this train and it is well worth seeing the beauty of the two states it traverses and the experience of riding a historic train.
Description: Cumbres and Toltec Winding Around Windy Point by Debra Martz The train traverses 64 miles between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015′ high Cumbres Pass. As the train completes this curve, it will be at its highest point of the day. It makes a stop, where it will take on more water and the black locomotive will be sprayed with water...to cool it somewhat from the chugging climb it has made from Chama's elevation of about 7,825'. Just shy of an elevation gain of 2, 200 feet. Below the train Colorado State Highway 17 can also be seen winding around the top of the mountain. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Traveling on the Love Train by Debra Martz When I saw the steam in almost a perfect heart shape my mind said "The Love Train" So I took the picture into Topaz where I used digital paint brushes and added several layers of texture for some digital enhancements. Hopefully, the heart pops a bit more with the additional finishing touches! Cumbres and Toltec historic trains make day journeys from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado (or vice-versa) 6 days a week. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "New Mexic and Colorado" 20240611_3916-Edit.tif
Description: Landscape Near the New Mexico Colorado State Line by Debra Martz In this image you can see a small portion of the narrow gauge railroad though I was more interested in this beautiful landscape at this stop. While out on a day of train chasing there is so much more to appreciate as you wait. I walked along that fence line for a different point of view as the Cumbres and Toltec approached this area. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "New Mexico and Colorado" 20240611_3895
Description: Cumbres and Toltec Train Chasers by Debra Martz The train-chasing enthusiasts start at the depot as the train departs for its journey crossing highways and sometimes forest roads over the course of the day. The chasers rush to the next intersection crossing where most cameras are ready. In this image, the young videographer was ahead of the rush each time to get a front position. We and others chose to watch from the opposite side of the train tracks at this crossing. The train traverses 64 miles between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015-high Cumbres Pass.
Description: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad by Debra Martz A country road crossing to see the train on its journey traversing 64 miles between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015′ high Cumbres Pass. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240611-IMG_3876-SR.dng
Description: Cumbres and Toltec Railroad by Debra Martz As engine 484 heads into the national forest, its red passenger cars appear rather full. I've taken the train a few times so I know that no matter where your seats are in the enclosed cars, everyone is allowed to move about and stand out in the open car as they please. It seems that was exactly where many wanted to be as the train began heading higher in the mountains. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240611-IMG_3868-SR.dng
Description: Steaming Across the Countryside by Debra Martz We joined several other train enthusiasts for a day of chasing the Cumbres & Toltec Train along its route up and over the mountains of New Mexico and Through Colorado. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: 'Cumbres and Toltec' 'New Mexico' 20240611_3859
Description: Waiting For The Train by Debra Martz We were a bit disappointed when we arrived at this stop to wait for the train. In previous years when riding the train, the engineer would release steam and in turn, we would see a nice big rainbow and beautiful reflections in a much larger water source here. But not much rain the previous year nor enough snow for a good melt to maintain a nice water level. We had joined several other train enthusiasts chasing the steam train along its route up the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240611_3846 Vibrant green trees cover gentle hills beneath a bright blue sky with wispy white clouds.
Description: Full Steam Ahead by Debra Martz We weren't riding the train today but we joined several other train enthusiasts chasing the train along its route through the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. Engine 484, along with several reddish-color passenger cars, departed from the Chama, NM depot en route to Antonito, CO. Black and white conversion with some selective colors ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240611_3843 A vintage steam locomotive emits a thick plume of smoke as it chugs down the tracks, with a distinctive yellow headlight and the number 484 prominently displayed. The surrounding landscape is highlighted in grayscale
Description: North of Chama New Mexico by Debra Martz While we waited on the train at this highway crossing at the northern edge of Chama city limits, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the sky was. Lovely, clean mountain air! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: 'New Mexico and Colorado' 20240611_3830 Chama, New Mexico, USA A vast field stretches out under a bright blue sky scattered with wispy clouds. In the lower landscape, lush green trees and distant mountains add depth to the serene landscape. Photography by Debra Martz
Description: 484 Leaving The Depot by Debra Martz We weren't riding the train today but we joined several other train enthusiasts chasing the train along its route up the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. Engine 484, along with a number of passenger cars, was leaving the Chama, NM depot at about 8:50 a.m. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection 'New Mexico and Colorado' 20240609_3660 A vintage steam locomotive is parked near a brick building, with smoke billowing from its chimney under a clear blue sky. An old-fashioned streetlamp is positioned to the train's left, adding to the historical atmosphere of the scene.
Description: The Old Mississippi Bridge at Vicksburg by Debra Martz We were traveling westbound on the Vicksburg Bridge on I- 20/Hwy 80 across the Mississippi River between Delta, Louisiana and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Running parallel with it is the Vicksburg Old Highway 80 Bridge built in 1930, a one-of-a-kind, where highway and railroad tracks run side by side through the truss structure. The old bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We've traveled this route many times over the years, so I was planning to get a picture of the high point of the old bridge where the USA flag flies and the Louisiana state line sign is posted on the newer bridge.
Description: Late Afternoon At The Beach by Debra Martz It was only a little after 4pm and most of the people had already left this beach area. The rental chairs woulld be folded up and taken away at 5pm. But we had our own chairs, so we very much enjoyed this time of day at the beach. Dinner can come later! HA Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Coastal" 20240511-2024-05_3147 Bright blue umbrellas and matching beach chairs are set up on a sandy shore, facing the calm ocean. The clear sky and gentle waves create a serene beach scene.
Description: Alabama Morning Beach View by Debra Martz Early morning with the eastern light shining on the southwesterly view. A few early birds out strolling the beach already as one lone pelican soars overhead. It looked like possible rain so I waited with my cup of coffee before heading out for the day. The rain never happened, at least not in this area of Gulf Shores. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Coastal" 20240508-DSC_0391.NEF A serene beach scene features gentle waves lapping against the shore under a sky painted with dramatic, fluffy clouds of soft pink. A bird soars through the sky, adding a sense of freedom to the tranquil coastal landscape. Photography by Debra Martz
