Since our return to Texas in summer 2009, I’ve taken photos in and around Prince of Peace Lutheran Church quite a few times.   The church rests on a gentle slope of land in Wuthrich Hill.   These are a few from time spent there Friday night.   It’s one of the nicest places on the Blackland Prairie.  

Lately we’ve been taking weekend drives when time allows.   After driving around a couple of western Williamson County communities, I thought it might be a good time to visit Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown.   It’s  part of a beautiful section of the San Gabriel River Trail system that goes for miles.   My hope was to find some autumn splashes of color before the leaves ran their course for this year.   There were subtle hints of it on my  late-afternoon  stroll.  The last rays of light falling on rock surfaces were also sweet.   A cyclist passing on the trail made sure to mention the vultures up ahead.   Would I have trouble spotting them?   He thought not.   As the trees become more skeletal, the birds have room to spread their wings and roost.    While there’s still color to see, I’ll seek it out.  Birds, too.

Just a collection of unrelated images tonight, friends.   The post begins with a barn I occasionally enjoy photographing.   And a windmill that’s been documented a few times.   Not far from here a windmill photographed many times is no more.   I’m told it  was run over by a tractor.   The owners chose to take it on down.   Finally, a Waxing Crescent moon shining above an empty section of a football stadium in Georgetown.   I took the photo last night while covering a marching band competition.   Although there were a few people in the stands, it wasn’t a bit crowded.   

Some friends recently invited me to visit a farm that’s been in the family for many years.   It rests on 125 acres of Blackland Prairie soil a little west of Granger.   A couple years ago, a new friend asked what I meant by “Blackland Prairie?”    I suppose you have to spend enough time around here to get the meaning.   The soil is rich and dark.   Almost black.  Thus the name.   At any rate, my friend, now in his mid-60s, remembers climbing the old-growth trees, playing in Possum Creek, watching trains cross above that creek on a sturdy trestle.   These are just some impressions of that evening visit.  Remnants of  times past are all around.   A 1946 Chevy truck.  A combine.    The railroad bridge, long dormant, but still crossing the creek.   The creek is now dry, thanks to recent drought conditions.   We need some rain.   Before we left, my friend asked if I’d like to see some old family photos.   Among them were  well cared-for tintypes, some dating  to 1902.   I wish I’d have thought to copy a couple for this post.   This land is hallowed ground for many around here.   Although I didn’t grow up here, I get what they feel.   Next time, I’ll take a closeup photo of the soil.   

While on the hunt tonight, I happened on this scene along Bull Branch Creek in Taylor.  At first I concentrated on reflections, but soon began to focus on the family connection.  Hopefully, you understand what I saw.  Let’s leave it at that.

The colors this fall have been particularly vibrant.   I found some pleasant scenes on this recent visit to Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Plus a Great Blue Heron focused on finding a meal in the park’s waters.   A Great Egret briefly perched atop a tree as light began to fade, transforming this color scene into a monotone.  

Earlier this week, I was asked to take photos of homecoming festivities for Georgetown High School.   It’s probably been nine years since I’ve set foot on a high school football field with cameras.  After three concussions, all sustained at high school football games, I opted out, but this was halftime activities related to homecoming.   Arriving a little before kickoff, the urge to make photos was too much.   So included here are the homecoming king and queen in the opening photo, but a little bit more, too.  Note that the king and queen are both marching band members, also boyfriend and girlfriend.  I’ll admit to loving the culture surrounding prep football games.   There’s no need to put myself in harm’s way again anytime soon, but it was a fun night.   Even better for Georgetown, who beat Leander High 63-42.

Pedro (with white face) and Lil’ Bob, the resident donkeys at Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, love their play time together.   It may look like they’re fighting, but it’s just a donkey’s idea of fun.   When I used to visit them, I’d bring along some carrots or apples, but now  the park asks that visitors just feed them handfuls of grass.    The park makes sure these guys stay healthy and active.  

When autumn comes to Texas each year,  I think about traveling a little to find serene bits of color, but then the outings don’t happen.   But that’s okay when there’s such a nice park just blocks from our Taylor home.   I walk through Bull Branch Park almost every day.   Included here are some photos made one evening this week.   Staying close to home is okay.

A Veterans Day observance was held today at the Georgetown Rotary Club’s Field of Honor, in San Gabriel Park.   The opening photo is an active-duty mom stationed at Fort Hood, who came  here from the family home in Copperas Cove.   Her husband, also Army, is currently on assignment in Germany.    One of the things about covering Veterans Day for a long time is finding less World War II veterans on hand.  As I was about to leave, a man in a wheelchair was seen among the flags with his family.   It turns out he’s 96-year-old Carl Doering, an Army veteran who served in the Philippines.   He’s also a former Georgetown mayor.  I was glad to see him.   The final photo was taken as I arrived home in Taylor this afternoon.  There was my 85-year-old neighbor, also a veteran, taking a spin on his adult trike.  I had to add this good man to the mix this year.