Description: Tricolored Heron in Neck Tucked Pose ©Debra Martz Like many Herons, this species has a very long neck. But when they tuck their neck into the chest area it gives them a completely different look. This was one of several poses this Heron gave me when it landed close by. Captured from a boardwalk over the wetlands on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240229-DSC_9608.NEF
Description: Beauty Of A Tricolored Heron ©Debra Martz Sometimes you just get lucky with where a bird decides to land! This beauty had been moving about in different parts of the wetlands and mud flats and I had been following it with my camera. Imagine my surprise when it decided to land on the railing of the boardwalk where I was. Of course, it didn't stay long and went back to its search for prey in the shallow waters. The area of wetlands connects with the Laguna Madre on South Padre Island, Texas. A couple of places have boardwalks to get you closer to nature...this particular area's boardwalk bends and turns for about a mile. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240229-DSC_9601.NEF
Description: Brown Pelican Floating Along ©Debra Martz It made a crashing dive into the water and came up empty of prey. I guess that was enough for a while as it just floated around for a while. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240229-DSC_9499.NEF Alt Text: A brown pelican is afloat on a body of water, displaying its distinctive long bill and a splash of vibrant yellow plumage atop its head. The ripples on the water's surface add a dynamic element to the bird's serene presence.
Description: Tricolored Heron Makes A Catch ©Debra Martz I watched as this Heron slowly walked through the water while shuffling its feet to stir up some prey. Success; it made a catch! Captured in the wetlands on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240229-DSC_9475.NEF Alt Text: A tricolored heron stands in shallow water as it intently looks down, likely spotting a potential catch, with water ripples emanating from its beak and the surrounding area. Its plumage is primarily grey with nuances of blue and purple, and it holds a graceful, poised stance indicative of its hunting strategy.
Description: American Wigeon Changing Plumage ©Debra Martz He has started changing into breeding plumage and will soon have bright green patches on either side of the head. Captured on the wetlands on South Padre Island on February 29 in a leap year. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240229-DSC_9383.NEF
Description: Merganser Resurfaces From Dive ©Debra Martz I was focusing on this Red-breasted Merganser when it suddenly dived underwater. At least I spotted it when it resurfaced close enough to get this photograph, although its head feathers weren't as tidy as they previously were. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240229-DSC_9370.NEF
Description: White Ibis At The Edge of Laguna Madre @Debra Martz Where the blue waters of the Laguna Madre meet the lush vegetation of the brackish marshes, this Ibis appeared to be surveying for potential food sources. Their elongated bills are often caked in mud from foraging, but this particular one appeared to have recently tidied itself. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_0119.NEF
Description: Black Skimmer @Debra Martz I was standing on the end of a boardwalk that extends into the Laguna Madre watching a Reddish Egret when this Skimmer appeared. It made several circles in the area before moving on a little north. The strange, uneven bill of the skimmer has a purpose: the bird flies low, with the long lower mandible plowing the water, snapping the bill shut when it contacts a fish. Captured at South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_0092.NEF
Description: Alligator Headshot ©Debra Martz I saw this partially submerged big guy from the boardwalk that crosses over the brackish waters on South Padre Island, Texas. Yes, I used my lens at 600mm to get this closeup shot that shows its scaly details and a reflection on the water. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_0036.NEF
Description: Southern White on Oxeye @Debra Martz Butterflies and blooming flowers had things looking as if Spring had arrived though it was only March 2nd. Of course, there are always some flowers in bloom on South Padre Island, Texas year around. This Great Southern White is aka Large Cabbage Butterfly, Gulf White Cabbage, and Cabbage White; it is a species of Whites and Sulphurs. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_0015.NEF
Description: Green Kingfisher Perched In Different Tree ©Debra Martz This little Kingfisher was first in a tree bare of all leaves. After it made a quick dive to capture prey it perched in a different tree before repeating dive after dive. Photography by Debra Martz. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_0002.NEF
Description: My Fanned Tail Feathers Are Bigger Than Yours ©Debra Martz Two wild turkeys are seen from behind with their tail feathers fully fanned out in a display. They are standing on grassy ground with the backdrop of a soft-focused natural environment. Image captured at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20240307-DSC_0548.NEF
Description: Green Kingfisher Perched ©Debra Martz I considered this my lucky day when first stepping out on the deck to the boardwalk and there sat this beautiful Green Kingfisher. Sitting still for a moment is not the norm and it was soon zipping in, out, and all about. Captured on South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240302-DSC_9983.NEF
Description: Juvenile Seagull In Flight ©Debra Martz When visiting the Great Plains State Park in Oklahoma, I always make a stop at the spillway as there will normally be seagulls there at the very least. This young Herring Gull came flying by shortly after I made it to the 2nd tier. It is a migratory gull that I see in both Fall and Spring migration. This was a rather early Spring arrival in January or maybe it just stayed after arrival last fall. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20220113-DSC_0322.NEF
Description: Flight of Great Blue Herons @Debra Martz The heavily overcast day worked well for a blank "canvas" that shows off three Herons in flight. Two passing over the treetops of the rookery and another one lifting to the sky. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20190214-DSC_3009.NEF
Description: Heron With Another Stick @Debra Martz In Rockport, Texas there is a large stand of Live Oak trees that serves as a rookery each year during the breeding season. It is across the street from the bay which is a source of food for the Herons making this an attractive place to nest. Hundreds of them nest here and this Heron is bringing another stick for the nest building. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20190214-DSC_3005.NEF
Description: Make Room For Incoming @Debra Martz In Rockport, Texas there is a large stand of Live Oak trees that serves as a rookery each year during breeding season. It is across the street from the bay which is a source of food for the Herons making this an attractive place to nest. Hundreds of them nest here and as you can see from this small section, the nests are very close together. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 2024/20190214-DSC_3000.NEF
Description: Green Jay Out On A Limb ©Debra Martz Green Jays are fairly skittish, coming out into the open and quickly flying back into the safety of the thick trees. like those in the background. It's a common tropical bird primarily in Mexico, Central America, and South America, but the Green Jay just makes its way into the United States in southern Texas. I spotted this one at Hazel Bazemore Park near Corpus Christi which was my first time to see one this far "north" in the southern parts of Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 2024/20160221-DSC_2684.NEF
Description: Downy Woodpecker With a Tight Grip ©Debra Martz The active tiny Downy Woodpecker is a common sight in our backyard, just slightly larger than the Chickadees that also frequent the area. This black-and-white bird feels right at home on small branches, as is seen here clinging with its tiny claws on either side of the limb. While there is a larger lookalike, the Hairy Woodpecker, it is a rare occurrence to spot it in our backyard. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20242/20210217-DSC_3986.NEF
Description: Sparrow Blending In With Its Winter Habitat ©Debra Martz I do not doubt that I have walked trails, looking for birds, and simply walked right on by them. I almost did with this one but caught a glance at the last minute. Birds aren't always up in the trees, they are often on the ground or in the brush just at hip level like this Song Sparrow. Image captured on the Eagle Roost trail in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge of northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210203-DSC_3583.NEF
Description: Backyard House Finch Painterly ©Debra Martz I'm happy to have birds that come to our backyard, especially in the winter when it is so cold. I can get back inside quickly to get warm. I can always count on Finches, Juncos, and Sparrow in the winter months. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 2024/20210102-DSC_2766-Edit.tif
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: Journey of a Cormorant Through a Sunlit Sky by Debra Martz A trip over the the Great Salt Plains in northern Oklahoma rewarded me with the return of a number of Double-crested Cormorants already migrating back north. There were clouds yet the sun was bright. I enhanced it with a texture and a change in colors to convey the beauty and freedom of the bird as it soars through the air, illuminated by the glints of the sun. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections "Feathered Friends" 2024/20200222-DSC_6943-Edit-Edit.tif
Description: Which Berry Next ©Debra Martz Oh my, the feast this American Robin was having! It was putting down one berry after another. It had been very cold for weeks and the sunshine finally came out and the North winds stopped howling horribly. The birds were out in big numbers; they were happy and I was happy! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024/20200113-DSC_6500.NEF
Description: Male House Finch Daydreaming ©Debra Martz This Finch had been devouring berries as I watched him earlier. Then he just stayed calmly perched, looking off into the distance in a dreamy manner. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 2024/20200113-DSC_6477.NEF
Description: This Old House In Winter © Debra Martz I cannot just drive by this old house since finding it in 2019. It is always worth a stop to photograph and notice how it changes with age. The roof is dipping inward and the West wall (left) is leaning inward. But look at that chimney, it is still solid and straight! I am beginning to wonder how much longer it will stand against the winds that sweep across the plains of northern Oklahoma... ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_0161-Edit.tif Digitally altered from my original photograph.
Description: I Heart This Tree Painterly © Debra Martz We moved to northern Oklahoma in Aug 2019 and immediately started looking for a place to go bird watching. We discovered the Salt Plains NWR only 45 minutes from home and it has been our go-to place at least once a month since. However, it was only in February 2024 that I spotted this HEART shaped from limbs high in the trees on one of the roads we drive. I am always looking up for birds and have no idea how I missed this in previous winters when the trees were devoid of leaves. What a cool surprise and even more so finding it in Valentine's month! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_9354-Edit.tif
Description: I Heart This Tree © Debra Martz We moved to northern Oklahoma in Aug 2019 and immediately started looking for a place to go bird watching. We discovered the Salt Plains NWR only 45 minutes from home and it has been our go-to place at least once a month since. However, it was only in February 2024 that I spotted this HEART shaped from limbs high in the trees on one of the roads we drive each time. I am always looking up for birds and have no idea how I missed this in previous winters when the trees were devoid of leaves. What a cool surprise and even more so finding it in the Valentine's month! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_9352.NEF
Description: Eagle Nest in Winter Painterly © Debra Martz Several Eagle nests can be seen in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in the Winter. Come late Spring and early Summer, when Eagles are in them, they are difficult to spot through all the leaves. Enhanced with several layers of texture and digital paint brushes. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Trees Shrubs Nature" "Digital Art Photography" 20240201-DSC_9334-Edit-2.tif
Description: Reflections On Frozen Natural Abstract © Debra Martz Hiking along the Eagle Roost Trail you encounter areas where the trail is about 6-7 feet wide and marshy water is on both sides. Here in Northern Oklahoma, we had several weeks below freezing. Finally, there were several days in the upper 50s, so we went for a hike and bird-watching. I was a little surprised to find areas along the trail where the water was still frozen. I loved the patterns that had been created in the ice; more than likely with a little help from the windy weather, also. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_9327.NEF
Description: Frozen Natural Abstract © Debra Martz Hiking along the Eagle Roost Trail you encounter areas where the trail is about 6-7 feet wide and marshy water is on both sides. Here in Northern Oklahoma, we had several weeks below freezing. Finally, there were several days in the upper 50s, so we went for a hike and bird-watching. I was a little surprised to find areas along the trail where the water was still frozen. I loved the patterns that had been created in the ice; more than likely with a little help from the windy weather, also. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20240201-DSC_9324.NEF
