Description: "Painted Canyon Badlands North Dakota" The first stop, once we entered the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, was the Visitor Center. Behind it was a nice paved loop trail for scenic views into a beautiful canyon. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Landscapes and Landmarks" 20250805-DSC_2664
Description: "Majestic Badlands Landscape ND" Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located in North Dakota, is divided into 3 units. This landscape was in the South Unit near the entrance. We drove most of the 36-mile loop through the unit, stopping at all the overlooks and hiking portions of some trails. There was still ongoing construction on a 6-mile section, so it was u-turn time when we reached that point. The information we read said to allow 90 minutes to tour this unit. Well, that was hardly enough time at all. We were there all day, so we had to do the North Unit the following day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250805-DSC_2748
Description: "American Phoenix Loaded and Leaving Port" When the land is at sea level, it is fairly easy to see the ships come and go in Port Aransas, Texas. This one had loaded in Corpus Christi, TX, and was departing via the ship channel, which passes by Port A on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collections: "Coastal" "Texas" 20251015-DSC_8546
Description: "Geese In Flight North Dakota" The large oval-shaped structure is visible from I-94, standing 110 feet tall and 150 feet wide. In 2002, it was recognized as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture by the Guinness Book of World Records. Its placement on the Interstate is to attract travelers to take the exit and learn more about it and the Enchanted Highway, which runs for 32 miles south to the small town of Regent. Along the drive, there are several larger-than-life scrap metal artworks, each accompanied by a parking lot that allows tourists to stop, admire the works, and, of course, take photos. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804_0265
Description: "Ibis in Lush Wetland Habitat" Watching this White Ibis every so slowly lifting one foot at a time, made me think of Tiptoe Through the Garden by Tiny Tim ;-) Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8836
Description: The large oval-shaped structure in the distance is visible from I-94, standing 110 feet tall and 150 feet wide. In 2002, it was recognized as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture by the Guinness Book of World Records. Its placement on the Interstate is to attract travelers to take the exit and learn more about it and the Enchanted Highway, which runs for 32 miles south to the small town of Regent. Along the drive, there are several larger-than-life scrap metal artworks, each with a parking lot to allow tourists to stop and admire the works and, of course, take photos.
Description: "Snowy Egret Clicking Its Beak' When foraging, snowy egrets use one foot to stir up the bottom, flushing prey into view while feeding in shallow areas of ponds and marshes. Snowy egrets will also hover, then drop to the water to catch prey in their bills. But when they start clicking their beaks, it is an action to tell other egrets or birds to stay out of their fishing hole! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8869
Description: "Here I Come" I love the Snowy Egret's yellow feet, but they are often underwater and not seen. This was a treat for me when it seemed to start walking towards me, and gave such a clear view of just how vibrant those feet are. Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8868
Description: “Grasshoppers in the Field" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. It was located at mile 15, so it was the 6th one we stopped to visit. Grasshoppers in the Field features the world’s largest, 60 feet long, with antennae 40 feet high. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Miscellaneous"
Description: "Giant Deer Sculptures on the Prairie" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. It was located at mile 3, so it was the 7th one we stopped to visit. However, if you started from I-94, the deer are the first encounter on the Enchanted Highway. The buck is 75 feet tall, and the doe tops out at 50 feet. They were built from scrap metal salvaged from used oil well tanks. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Miscellaneous" 20250804-DSC_2657
Description: “Grasshoppers in the Field" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. Grasshoppers in the Field features the world’s largest, 60 feet long, with antennae 40 feet high. It was located at mile 15, so it was the 6th one we stopped to visit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Miscellaneous" 20250804-DSC_2648
Description: “Enormous Fish Sculpture Display" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. The Fisherman’s Dream was located at mile 19, so it was the 5th one we stopped to visit. If you spot the fisherman in the boat, it is life-size, so it adds scale to the overall structure. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2623
Description: "Pheasants on the Prairie" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. This was located at mile 24, so it was the 4th one we stopped to visit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2623
Description: "Teddy Rides Again" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. This was located at mile 26, so it was the third one we stopped to visit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2591
Description: "Theodore Roosevelt Rides Again" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. This was located at mile 26, so it was the third one we stopped to visit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2589
Description: "Egrets and an Ibis in Shallow Water" I have previously seen both the dark morph and white morph Reddish Egrets, but this was a first to see both together! Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8860
Description: "Pink Beauties and a Surprise Heron" The photo was all about the Roseate Spoonbills and their bright pink reflections, or so I thought. I was totally surprised by this young Night Heron as it strolled through the scene. This area in the wide open wetlands was the last place I would have imagined seeing a night heron. Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8849
Description: "Quirky Tin Family Sculpture" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent. This was located at mile 30, so it was the second one we stopped to visit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2573
Description: "Whimsical Outdoor Art Structure" The enchanted highway in North Dakota begins at I-94’s exit 72 and covers 32 miles along County Highway 21, ending in Regent. We were traveling south to north, so the first structure for us was actually considered the last one in Regent, next to the souvenir shop. There is a switch to flip, and all the items in this "house" begin to move all about. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "North Dakota" 20250804-DSC_2567
Description: "Hot and Cold Water Towers Monochrome" It was a stop-the-truck moment when I saw these water towers in Pratt, Kansas. It was our first day on a summer road trip, driving the back highways, and with no reservations. This sure gave me a good laugh; I hope it brings a smile to others as well. Photograph converted to black and white with an overlay of texture added to the sky. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Black and White" 20250803-DSC_2552 BW
Description: "Ducks Flying in Unison" I was panning my camera with the ducks as they took off, and was pleased to find they framed the Black-necked Stilt that was wading in the wetlands. . Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8820
Description: "Roseate Spoonbills and Egret in Wetland" I was only working to photograph the Roseate Spoonbills and their reflections when this White Morph Reddish Egret dropped in for a photobomb. Photographed from a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Nature Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8842
Description: "Plover Walking on Sandy Shore" I only saw this one Piping Plover on this day while walking the boardwalk over the wetlands. Photographed at Charlie's Pasture in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251015-DSC_8789
Description: “Marbled Godwit in Shallow Water” Unlike most shorebirds that eat aquatic invertebrates year-round, Marbled Godwits forage almost exclusively on plant tubers during migration, using their upturned bill to clip tubers. Captured from the boardwalk over the wetlands of Charlie’s Pasture Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251015-DSC_8772
Description: "Graceful Roseate Spoonbill in Flight" It was a heavily overcast day, making everything very dull...until this Spoonbill flew overhead and brightened the mood! Photographed in South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250306-DSC_6098
Description: "Cold and Hot Water Towers" It was a stop-the-truck moment when I saw these water towers in Pratt, Kansas. It was our first day on a summer road trip, driving the back highways, and with no reservations. This sure gave me a good laugh; I hope it brings a smile to others as well. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250803-DSC_2552
Description: "White Ibis Among Mangrove Roots" Photographed in the wetlands of South Padre Island, Texas, where many birds wade through and around the vegetation, where a large variety of food can be found. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250304-DSC_5780
Description: "Roseate Spoonbill in Shallow Water" This juvenile was putting on a show, moving all about and sweeping its large spoon-shaped bill in the water. Every few seconds or so, it would stop and look directly at me. Photographed from a boardwalk over the wetlands in South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2025-03-01-DSC_5294
Description: "Green Heron Fluffed Crown Feathers" I waited and watched the Heron as it waited and watched for some prey in the water below. When it fluffed its feathers, I thought, finally, I'm going to get the photo of it taking off, but that wouldn't happen. It outlasted me, and I finally moved on along the walking path. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250301-DSC_5270
Description: "Duck in Natural Habitat" A Mottled Duck with an expression that seemed like, "What Are You Looking At?" This one was in the vegetation just off the Laguna Madre in South Padre Island, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250304-DSC_5690
Description: "Heron With Its Prize Catch" I am always amazed when birds catch such large fish, and this one was a prize catch! I also wonder how they manage to digest them. This Great Blue Heron sought out refuge in the wooded area of the lake, so I didn't get to watch the work it went through to chow down in this one. Photographed at Falcon Lake in Southern Texas in January. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 202520180125-DSC_5917
Description: "Marbled Godwits Resting and Reflecting" After a busy morning of feeding on the wetlands, it was time to rest. The air was still, making for calm waters and perfect reflections. Photographed from the boardwalk on the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas, in October. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20251016-DSC_9039
