Debra Martz Pins and Buttons

Michael Jackson Leather Shoes and Swarovski Socks by Debra Martz On loan from his estate and on display in a Las Vegas hotel on the strip. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: Digital Art Photography 202220170411-IMG_7838-Edit.dng

Riding along on the St Charles StreetCar when Loylola University came into sight. I was a little late pulling the cable to alert the driver for stopping. We rolled on by Loyola and then Tulane stopping at the next available streetcar stop. So we backtracked by foot under the shade of the live oaks and took in the beautiful sights. Marquette Hall, the oldest campus building of Loyola University was completed in 1910 and most all classes were conducted here until Bobet Hall was completed in 1920. It is one of the most prominent buildings on campus which serves as the iconic image of the university. Today, Marquette primarily functions as an administrative building, but some classes are still held there and the main theatre used by the...

Abandoned in New Mexico Near Capulin Volcano by Debra Martz I was traveling west on highway 87 in New Mexico, when I saw these abandoned buildings and windmill. The rising mountain in the background is Capulin Volcano National Monument. You can see the road cut into the side which winds to the other side to the top. There is a trail at the top with views of portions of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "New Mexico" "Digital Art Photography" 202220210906-2021-09-06-IMG_5326 Converted my original photograph to black and white and added several textures for the finish.

When seen at a distance, they appear black but close up and with the sun shining on them they are beautiful. And though they may be beautiful, they can be a pest, especially when they arrive at backyard feeders in large groups. They are not native to the USA but they are the most abundant of all songbirds with a range from Alaska to Mexico. 100 birds were set free in New York's Central Park in the early 1890s by a group who wanted America to have all the birds that Shakespeare ever mentioned. Unbelievable that now there are more than 200 million European Starlings! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends2" 20210215-72D_3941-Edit.tif

Cow Parsnip Infrared by Debra Martz While hiking the Goose Creek Trail near Red River, New Mexico, one couldn't help but notice how lush the nature of in the forest was. While I saw the one large insect, my main focus was that of the white blooms of the Cowparsnip. Once I zoomed in on my computer to view, I was surprised at just how many insects were enjoying this wildflower! With this image, once did an infrared conversion and used a smudge tool, most of the insects justs blended in except the larger one on the right. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20200629-DSC_0739-Edit-Edit.tif

Yellow on Yellow by Debra Martz It was early October and already having some cool nights. Therefore, while bird watching at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge I was constantly scanning the ground and the sides of the trail for snakes out warming in the sun. But this scan brought into view the yellow Clouded Sulphur Butterfly on the yellow wildflower. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20201008-DSC_0622.NEF

While on a short road trip, we stopped at the Meridian State Park in Texas and drove the scenic roads through the park. On the west side of the lake, there was an "arm" of water filled with the tall, emergent Water Lotus. Several digital filters and brushes have been used to create this work from my original photograph. ©Debra Martz

Port Aransas. Texas is a wonderful birding area during spring and fall migration. This was the first time I had seen the Philadelphia Vireo on its Spring Journey heading north to its breeding grounds in Canada. ©Debra Martz In My Gallery/Collection "Feather Friends2" 20190512-DSC_0482.NEF

Take a walk around Taos, New Mexico in the summer and you will see Hollyhocks growing prolifically all around town. This tall, pink and backlit hollyhock was growing in the garden at the Historic Taos Inn where we stayed a few nights in July. The hollyhock is the official flower of the Taos Garden Club and has long since been unofficially accepted as the floral symbol of the Town of Taos. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Flora" 20210720-DSC_4231

Located right next to the French Quarter, the Riverwalk is 1.3 miles long. It is a great scenic trail along the Mighty Mississippi with hotels, mall and several opportunities for steamboat rides. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210512-DSC_4739

I discovered this old green abandoned house when I first moved to northern Oklahoma in 2019. Something about it has me taking photos each and every time I’m in the area. It’s the same yet always different as time and seasons go by. It looked beautiful to me on this day surrounded by sunflowers and beautiful clouds in the sky! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210929-IMG_6922-Edit.tif

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

Kayaking to the Spillway by Debra Martz If you read my descriptions on my bird photography, you might recall my mention of the spillway as the location. It is one of my favorite places to bird watch in this state park. But after the birds do their morning feedings and preening in the water, they all but disappear until evening. I only see one lone seagull in this image myself. Just like the birds possibly, I was back to my comfortable place taking a break just after high noon. I had a quick lunch then went back outside and saw this couple kayaking so went back in the RV for the camera. The people give the image a sense of scale and the textures on the flowing water and those reflections were shining bright and very picturesque to...

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

When I stepped into the second room of the old train Depot museum at Uptop, Colorado, this vintage pitcher and basin in the window caught my attention. I especially like that I could angle the composition to get the Chapel of the Wayside as background. ©Debra Martz 2021-09-18 All Rights Reserved

Old Faithful Yellowstone by Debra Martz This famous geyser in Yellowstone was named for its frequent and rather predictable eruptions. As of the summer of 2021 those eruptions numbered more than a million since Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "U.S. National Parks" 202220140908-DSC_4916.NEF

The Dog Bar Cachara Colorado by Debra Martz The Dog Bar is known as the "Heart and Soul of Cuchara" for good reason. They've been serving up burgers, pizzas and drinks since it was established in 1980 and this place continues to be a staple in the Cuchara Valley. Located on scenic byway 12, aka the Highway of Legends, it is just a short drive south of La Veta, CO. I've enjoyed some good food and good live music there. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210915-DSC_4793

Dropped A Bite by Debra Martz While hiking along the Big Tree Trail I first spotted this squirrel on the ground digging, looking for a nut or some type of food. It found what it was after and ran up the side of this leaning tree. But, oops, it dropped a good portion of its food find. Captured at Aranasas National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 202220160304-DSC_2830-En

Frog in the Sunlight by Debra Martz As I walked the trail along the stream frogs were jumping into the water. I came to a bridge and looked down when I spotted this one with the sun shining brightly upon it. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 202220160304-DSC_3072

Some Bunny Loves Flowers by Debra Martz This little cottontail rabbit had been on the other side of my backyard enjoying my Petunias. It ate a number of the blooms before hopping across the yard making stops along the way to check out other flowers. I had a good laugh when it checked out this yellow flower and frog which is the base of my birdbath. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

White Prickly Poppy Pollinator by Debra Martz I find bird watching to be a great hobby. It gets me outside, on long walks and enjoying the nature that is all around me. Captured in March in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in southern Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Flora" "Wildflowers" "Digital Art" 202220160304-DSC_3067

Young Alligator by Debra Martz While crossing the bridge, I stopped to view the frogs I had been hearing from the trail. Not only were there frogs, there were a number of young alligators. That got me to wondering, "Where are the parents; the big and fast ones!" Captured at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Wildlife" 20160304-DSC_3107

Whitetail Dragonfly by Debra Martz The Common Whitetail dragonfly is seen across much of North America, with a striking and unusual appearance. The male's chunky white body (about 2 inches long), combined with the brownish-black bands on its translucent wings, give it a checkered look. The white on the abdomen, found only in mature males, is displayed to other males as a territorial threat. I saw several varites of dragonflies this day while actually out bird watching along the Eagle Roost Trail in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Reserve in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210622-DSC_4036

The San Miguel Mission in Socorro New Mexico had fallen into such bad shape that it was closed in 2010. In November 2013, the Conrad Hilton Foundation awarded a $1.1 million grant. It is now restored, beautiful and an active Catholic Church. Missions were important parts of the trade routes traveled by Spanish and Indian alike. During the Spanish colonial period in New Mexico, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior), was the major trade route between Mexico City and Santa Fe in New Mexico. The Royal Road passed the village of the Pilabó, home to the Piro Indians which is near today's Socorro, NM. The Piro met Spanish settlers when Oñate's expedition stopped there, and later a Franciscan mission was started in ...

Pops 66 Soda by Debra Martz Travel along route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma and you will find this 66 foot tall soda structure weighing in at 4 tons. The stop includes over 600 varieties of soda displayed on a glass wall, restaurant, gas station and curio shop. Maybe some day I will pass by when the multi-colored neon structure is lit. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Flower Power by Debra Martz While visiting the Beaufort National Cemetery in South Carolina, this bouquet stood out so boldly among all the white grave markers/tombstones. They powerfully spoke...we were here, you are not forgotten, memories of you still brighten our day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Flora"

Snowy Egret Performance by Debra Martz It might look like a performance but it's their attitude about territory that gets them up in the air and running sideways like this. Incoming one wanting to take over the fishing spot where the other was being successful. If there are several in close proximity, you will most likely get a show like this! Captured below the spillway at the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahome. Some digital enhancements have been done in Topaz Impressions but masking out the birds about 90% to keep them true to form. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collection "Feathered Friends2" 20201015-DSC_1157-Edit-2.tif

Cuchara is a charming, mountain village tucked away on the scenic byway 12 aka The Highway of Legends. There’s a quaint, one short street downtown area, consisting of several colorful shops, some lodging and a couple of restaurants. The town was established in 1883 and is at an elevation of 8,650 feet, situated on the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado. Cucharas Pass, at almost 10,000 feet, is just a few miles south of the town. The town is surrounded by the San Isabel National Forest where my husband and I have traveled and explored numerous scenic forest service roads in the area. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Colorado" "Signs" 20210915-D...

Majestic Young Eagle by Debra Martz For me, even at a young, sub-adult age, this Bald Eagle appears majestic. It became the highlight of a day of bird watching. We had decided it was time to head home but why not make one more drive by the lake area behind the cabins? What a great decision! We were turning right into the parking area and stopped quickly at the sight of this Eagle on the bare tree branches. I very quietly exited the truck and was so appreciative that this regal beauty stayed at the top of this dead tree long enough for me to snap about a dozen images. Beautiful end to the day of bird watching. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 2" 20211101-DSC_8259.ED Captured at...

I was walking around the south spillway area of the Great Salt Plains State Park when I noticed a number of Irises. I crossed the parking area to get to the first one and saw that they were growing at a number of the campsites. Created from my origianl photography using Topaz Studio and Impressions. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210429-DSC_3403.NEF

Newly Opened Coneflower by Debra Martz The first of my white Coneflowers to bloom this spring. The deep green foliage seems to illuminate the white flower that much more. Digital enhancement applied to bring out the details. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Flora" "Digital Art Photography" 2021-06-12ConeFlower-3582

Common Whitetail Dragonfly by Debra Martz The Common Whitetail dragonfly is seen across much of North America, with a striking and unusual appearance. The male's chunky white body (about 2 inches long), combined with the brownish-black bands on its translucent wings, give it a checkered look. The white on the abdomen, found only in mature males, is displayed to other males as a territorial threat. I saw several different dragonflies this day while actually out bird watching along the Eagle Roost Trail in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Reserve in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20210622-DSC_4038-dng

Towering Sunflower by Debra Martz While spending a week in La Veta, Colorado in late September, I passed this sunflower a number of times. I had never seen a sunflower taller than the roofline of a house! Finally, drove intentionally there to stop for a photo. On private property, so I shot from the sidewalk from my eye level though it would have been neat to shoot from directly under it. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Flora 20210919-DSC_5337.NEF

This litle Carolina Chickadee was singing beautifully deep in the trees. I followed its sounds until it appeared to be closer. At first I didn't see it until I looked straight up high in the treetop. Captured at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge along the Eagle Roost trail located in northern Oklahoma. Digital filter and soft digital brushes applied to my original photograph for a slight painterly effect. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Galleries/Collections: "Feathered Friends2" "Digital Art Photography" 20210328-DSC_2655-Edit

Sparrow In The Pines by Debra Martz We were out hiking in Yellowstone in late summer to enjoy the amazing landscape. Then I heard this little Clay-colored Sparrow sing. I looked up and around a bit and then there it was. It looked so small and sweet nestled in the limbs of the large pine tree. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collections: "Feather Friends3" 202220140908-DSC_5032

Sunrise with the American Robins by Debra Martz Early bird gets the worm! I can usually hear the Robins even before the first light of day. And, as on this morning, I usually see them arriving in the neighbors tree before they make their way to our backyard. They don't go to the feeders but feed below them and they visit the bird bath which we keep heated in the winter. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends 3" 20220226-DSC_0719.dng