Description: "Cormorant Glistening In the Sunlight" We decided to start our day at Charlie's Pasture Preserve, and after birdwatching the 2.5-mile round-trip on the boardwalk, we headed to Leonabelle, hoping to still have good light. And at mid-morning, I was pleased with the light on the birds that were closeby. Captured from the boardwalk that extends past Leonabell onto the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251016-DSC_9121
Description: "White Ibis With A Catch" I watched this Ibis catch and toss this little crab a few times as it kept repositioning it farther up in its beak. Captured from a boardwalk along the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251016-DSC_9118
Description: "LNG Rosenrot Inbound Port Aransas Texas" I'm always looking for ships inbound or outbound in the ship channel while I'm birdwatching at Charlie's Pasture Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas. From the boardwalk, they look even more massive and almost appear to be on land rather than in the ship channel, which ends in the Corpus Christi port terminals. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Coastal" "Texas" 20251016-DSC_9069
Description: "Aegean Dream Tanker at Port Aransas Texas" The Aegean Dream is a large crude oil tanker owned by Arcadia Shipmanagement, a Greek company, while "Arcadia Hellas" refers to the company itself. I'm always on the lookout for ships in the port when I'm birdwatching at Charlie's Pasture Preserve in Port Aransas, Texas. They almost appear to be more on land than in the ship channel, which ends in Corpus Christi, where they load. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20251016-DSC_9050
Description: "Black-necked Stilt Reflection on The Wetlands" The morning light was still adding a bit of golden glow to the water and provided a nice reflection of the Stilt as well. Captured along the Nature Trail in Port Aransas, Texas, mid-autumn. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: “Feathered Friends” 20251016-DSC_9086
Description: "Passionflower in the Sunlight" I always found these growing in the wild when I lived in coastal Texas. It was nice to come across this vining plant with some blooming flowers while I was visiting in Port Aransas, Texas. This one was at the end of a boardwalk at Charlie's Pasture Preserve where I was doing some birdwatching. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Flora Trees Nature Wildlife" 20251015-DSC_8938
Description: "Sandy Path Leading Over Hill" As we drove the scenic route through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we stopped at each pullout. This particular one was small, unmarked, and there were no other cars, but we spotted a trail and decided to see where it would lead us. It didn't take us very far and ended abruptly, so back up the hill and moving on for more fun finds...even if short :-) ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250805-DSC_2722
Description: "Scenic Trail Through Rolling Hills" As we drove the scenic route through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we stopped at each pullout. This particular one was small, unmarked, and there were no other cars, but we spotted a trail and decided to see where it would lead us. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250805-DSC_2703
Description: "Dowitcher in Shallow Water" Dowitchers are a variety of Sandpipers with a very long bill and short legs compared to many others. 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_8912
Description: "Plover at Water's Edge" This arctic-breeding bird, the Semipalmated Plover, can show up almost anywhere across North America during migration. Photographed this one 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_8926
Description: "Semipalmated Plover by the Water" This arctic-breeding bird, during migration, can show up almost anywhere across North America. Photographed this one 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_8926
Description: The Rose by Debra Martz A digital artwork created from my original photograph of this Knock Out Rose using several different filters and brushes in a few editing programs. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20190601-DSC_1090
The Rose T-Shirt
$24
Description: "Egrets and Shorebirds on Coastal Mudflat" This is a very common scene when bird watching in Port Aransas, Texas. Especially along any of the boardwalks over the wetlands and mud flats. 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_8910
Description: "Single Yellowlegs in Shallow Wetlands" This single Greater Yellowlegs left the crowd of a mixed group of many bird species giving me a nice opportunity to capture just the one showing off its vibrant yellow legs. 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_8897
Description: "End Of Trail" As we drove the scenic route through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we stopped at each pullout. This particular one was not marked, but we spotted a trail and off we went, first uphill, and then a moderate downhill, to which it abruptly stopped. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Landscapes and Landmarks" 20250805-DSC_2710
Description: "Bison and Calves in Meadow" Early in the day, we had walked a trail in hopes of seeing Bison and wild horses. And while we did see some, they were a long distance away in a valley. So these came as quite a surprise as we headed out on another trail just for scenic views. As we topped a knoll, this was the sight, and I was thankful that I was not a great distance from the trailhead. I turned and headed back to a safe place behind the vehicle to wait and watch for them. Captured in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit, at the trailhead of Coal Vein Nature Trail. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Collection: "Flora Trees Nature Wildlife" 20250805-DSC_2787
Description: "Reddish Egret Dancing for Fish" It’s always fun to come across Reddish Egrets in shallow water as they put on quite a show. They 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” 20251015-DSC_8872
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
