Description: Kukoo Kunuku Tour Bus Aruba ©Debra Martz Yes, this is the tour bus we chose to tour around the island of Aruba! And it was just as fun and loud as it looks. We saw some great sights while we sang some songs, and made some stops before we were dropped off at the beach for several hours. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Tri-colored Heron Portrait in Morning Light ©Debra Martz After this one finished with some extended preening, it turned to the side and caught the early morning light just perfectly to illuminate its beauty. Image captured in March at the wetlands of Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Pie-billed Grebe at Rest by the Reeds ©Debra Martz I was walking the boardwalk early morning at Leonabelle and hoping this one Pie-billed Grebe would move completely beyond the reeds but no such luck. It was happy resting where it was with a watchful eye on its surroundings. Port Aransas Texas March 8th. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: The Best of My Backside ©Debra Martz The Tri-colored Herons are beautiful in any side you get to see especially in the Spring when they add extra flair for breeding season. It's standing on a board, possibly a remnant from Hurricane Harvey, from the old boardwalk. The brackish water attracts a large amount of shorebirds to the Leonabelle area of Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Ring-billed Gull In Flight by Debra Martz One of those rare days when the wind was not sweeping down the plains of Oklahoma, therefore, calm water. The only problem is the drought conditions causing the lake to dry out in many areas. Under normal conditions this seagull would have been flying over all blue water. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230111-DSC_6102
Description: Ring-billed Gull Handrail Walker ©Debra Martz What I can say other than to advise keeping your hands off the handrails! This one was using the rail to stroll slowly along, stop and check the waters below for possible prey and stroll again leaving its mark. Even when I walked on by, it did not depart the rail. Along the boardwalk at Leonabelle wetlands in Port Aransas Texas in March. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Marsh Wren in the Dry Reeds ©Debra Martz It finally came to the outer edge of the dried reeds for a moment and then back in to the thick of it where these wrens prefer to stay hidden. Seen below the boardwalk at Leonabelle in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Guarding the Light ©Debra Martz I couldn't believe this Brown Pelican was perched up high on this street light. I was in the area about 4 years ago and saw one perched in the exact same place and thought it was strange at the time as I had never seen a pelican perch on something like this. I guess it did offer a good vantage point as it was right by the boat ramp at Goose Island State Park in Texas. It was not bothered by my presence as it stayed put while I walked around taking photos...guess it didn't want another pelican or bird to get its light. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: The Rustic Side of Cuchara Colorado by Debra Martz While the small village of Cuchara is always bright and beautiful with flowers everywhere in the summer it has its rustic side, also. Wooden buildings, walkways and decks and some horseshoes here and there. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20220919-DSC_6961-Edit.dng
Description: Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle ©Debra Martz I was walking the path to another area of the 9acre Rookery Park admiring the Spring wildflowers when this Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly landed on some thistle nearby. The rookery is across the street from the Bay of Rockport, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Take a stroll on the Riverwalk of New Orleans for the beautiful scenery or for the unique sights you might see. This is a small portion of love locks on a gated pier along the Mississippi River. Love Wins! Love Lock Tradition ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4749-Edit.tif
Description: Verdin Nest Building ©Debra Martz This was the first time I had seen a Verdin's nest and was quite surprised by the size and messiness of it! Maybe the inside is neater where it flew into it from the bottom with this bit of white fluff! Image captured along the Chachalaca Trail at the Santa Ana NWR in south Texas March 2. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230302-DSC_7191.NEF
Description: Water Snake Slithering Along ©Debra Martz It had been a full day of bird watching and which turned to watching out for snakes. The others seen along the trails were all Indigo Snakes. Thankfully all nonvenomous! Image captured at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas March 2nd.
Description: Displaying Wild Turkey ©Debra Martz It was early morning and we were just starting our day of bird watching. Could not ask for a better start when this male gobbler appeared just off trail and went into full display. Captured at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in South Texas on March 3rd. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230303-DSC_7227.NEF
Description: Profile of Displaying Wild Turkey ©Debra Martz It was early morning and we were just starting our day of bird watching. Could not ask for a better start when this male gobbler appeared just off trail and went into full display. Captured at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in South Texas on March 3rd. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230303-DSC_7232.NEF
Description: Congregation of Ibis In the Wetlands ©Debra Martz There were a large number of White Ibis spread out across the different wetlands in the refuge; this area was along the Cattail Lake Trail at the Santa Ana NWR in south Texas near Alamo. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230302-DSC_7131.NEF
Description: Great Egret As Still As A Statue ©Debra Martz A fairly common bird, especially in coastal areas, but it just looked so bright white and beautiful standing in the green field. Image captured at the Santa Ana NWR in south Texas ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230302-DSC_7106.NEF
Description: Turtle Enjoying the Sunshine ©Debra Martz This Red-eared Slider appeared to really be enjoying the warmth from the sunshine on this winter day. Captured along the Green Jay Trail in the Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park in southern Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Wildlife 20230303-DSC_7404.NEFTurtle Enjoying the Sunshine ©Debra Martz This Red-eared Slider appeared to really be enjoying the warmth from the sunshine on this winter day. Captured along the Green Jay Trail in the Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park in southern Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20230303-DSC_7404.NEF
Description: Black Crested Titmouse Little Beauty ©Debra Martz It's sweet how timing works. I hadn't made it 100 yards at the start of the trail when the mosquitoes attacked. So it was back to the truck for insect repellent wipes. This little one was perched on the side view mirror but as I got closer it flew into the tree close by, turned and watched me from there. I saw a few more on the trail throughout the day but not this close. Image captured at the Santa Ana NWR in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 20230302-DSC_7082.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
Description: Tom Turkey Profile ©Debra Martz I first spotted a male turkey in full display near the visitors center shortly after our arrival at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park. About a mile along the main trail into the park, I spotted a number of turkeys back in the trees so I just stood around awhile. Eventually, this gobbler come out of the trees where the sunlight really showed off all its details and colors. The state park is located in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230303-DSC_7338
Description: Brilliant Red Northern Cardinal ©Debra Martz While walking along the Green Jay Trail, I was in search of the Altamira Oriole. But who can resist the sight of the male Northern Cardinal? He gave me several poses before he flew back into the thicker limbs. Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park in southern Texas on March 3rd. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Osprey Patiently Waiting ©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. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230228-DSC_6893.NEF
Description: Turkey Vulture Up Close by Debra Martz Goodness, it was if this vulture flew by so close that it was telling me, "Those Pelicans aren't the only birds migrating and worth photographing!" Captured up on the spillway at the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma during fall migration in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 20221010-DSC_5465
Description: Red Eyed American Coot ©Debra Martz I love when the sun hits that beautiful red eye of the American Coot and makes it shine so vibrantly! Such a beautiful bird and it even has cool feet, too! Capture along the boardwalk at South Padre Island Nature and Birding Center the last day of February. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Feathered Friends 3 20230228-DSC_6633.NEF
Description: Immature White Ibis Entertaining ©Debra Martz This young one was quite the entertainer as it preened and continually ruffled its feathers and flapped its wings. I walked away a couple of times but had return again and again to watch it. 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_6790.NEF
Description: Plain Chachalaca Early Morning ©Debra Martz The Chacalaca is a nonmigratory bird that is found in the southern tip of Texas and through much of Central America. I heard the very loud call of several before this one made an appearance on the open branch in the morning light. Captured this image along a trail in the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, TX. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
