These are some leftover photos from a recent cloudy evening when I was rambling a little east of Granger, Texas. Clouds and stormy skies can sometimes give us warm imagery. I didn’t want to file this without sharing a little more from that outing. 
As mentioned a few times, I don’t normally post specifically-local things here, or on social media, but some subjects, like children, are universal. This morning, I spent a few hours at Market Days, held on the square in Georgetown, Texas. Socially-distanced vendors encompassed the town center, doing their best to keep a positive focus in these hard times. As I was getting ready to leave, this delightful 2-year-old, enjoying a frozen treat on a warm late-summer day got my attention. While photos of kids might be considered “cute”, I like to see beyond that word. Struggling publications, looking for important topics, would do well to listen to their readers.
This year’s Memorial Stair Climb, held at Georgetown’s Birkelbach Field, was scaled down because of the ongoing pandemic. But September 11, 2001 was remembered by a few first responders in this Central Texas city. The stadium opened before dawn. There was no formal ceremony this time. Unlike past climbs, participants were spaced well apart. Each year the climb remembers the sacrifice made by New York firefighters and police officers as they climbed the stairs in the twin towers. A number didn’t make it out. I thought about how the kids at an elementary school photographed yesterday probably don’t know about 9/11. One who does, however, is 3-year-old Micah, who joined his firefighter dad during the walk. When he grows up, says dad, Micah wants to be a firefighter, too. 
Online study began August 20th for students in the Georgetown (TX) Independent School District. This morning, staff, teachers and students entered the next phase with in-person classes. I visited Williams Elementary School for their first day. Williams, along with Wolf Ranch Elementary, is a brand-new school. A number of families will continue with remote learning for a while. It was nice to see children and families taking part. The principal, adding to her many duties, was in front before sunrise, placing traffic cones. The pandemic has changed how we do things. I’ve been documenting the start of school since the early-1970s, but circumstances bring caution. At Williams, everyone is required to wear a mask. There are hand sanitizing stations everywhere. In classrooms, children are more widely-spaced. A dad dropping off his third grader lowered his mask just long enough to plant a kiss before his young lady headed for her class, the mask quickly put back in place.
Parents aren’t allowed to come into the school for goodbyes. One of the teachers acted as a greeter, opening her arms for “air hugs” as kids came inside. I hope we get to return to normalcy someday, but completely understand the need for stepping lightly.
On the way into Austin at mid-afternoon today, the clouds forming around New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church were inspiring enough to merit a stop for a few minutes. Then tonight, the skies continued to catch my attention, this time a little outside Granger. Stormy skies in Texas are magical. 
Granger Lake is beautiful. I’d rather not like it since it was created by damming up the San Gabriel River. When the lake was formed, a good bit of prairie farmland was forever covered in water. But anglers and boaters love it here. It’s a very peaceful place to spend some time. 
The sunset photo is near Granger, Texas. That truck isn’t traveling on a road, but across a field. The other is a red-tailed hawk, pictured tonight a little west of Bartlett. This and that. 
The six photos included here were taken Saturday evening after sunset (the first two) and ahead of dawn this morning at Taylor’s rookery, in Murphy Park. Ten minutes after sunrise, I was gone. A gift certificate made it possible for a new tripod, a much-needed thing. These photos were a good opportunity to try it out. I’m happy to say it is wonderful. Although the rookery is here all year long, the nesting egrets that arrived last Spring will soon move on. I am compelled to document it while I can. It’s a restful place. 
Just a few photos taken in the past couple of days in the area known as Wuthrich Hill. The church, often photographed, is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. 
The birds posted tonight are not from Taylor’s rookery. These are country birds, out there foraging for food on the Blackland Prairie near Granger, Texas. There’s the mass of avian activity spending their time on recently-harvested fields east of town. It’s fascinating how they don’t slam into each other while flying. The third lone bird is a turkey vulture, on the hunt west of Granger. A solitary being. I don’t know the name of the large mass of avian life, but do find them interesting. And quite determined. 
