It’s funny, but I’m seldom able to get photos of hawks while driving around the countryside.  They’re usually perched somewhere.   By the time I grab a camera, they’ve gone.   Or vehicles approaching from behind make stopping problematic.    I seem to have better encounters during recent walks in Taylor.   This one was spotted on a wire (where the heck else would they be?).   I pointed the Olympus her way, thinking she’d zoom on away, but she stayed, just watching me while I watched her.   She was probably thinking I was a food source.   The collection of hearts on her feathers was intriguing.   After a ten-minute stare-down, I moseyed on home.   When I turned around, she was still there.  Focused.

Just some subtle lights shining under  evening clouds a little west of Granger, Texas.    I wish we could see them a little longer.

This horse has a fine pasture to use, but likes wandering through the brushy area nearby.   It’s a restful spot for this beauty.

Some photos from the Granger area tonight, friends.   You’ll likely see photos from this area often.   It exudes serenity.

Blackland Prairie skies were singing my song tonight as I drove through Norman’s Crossing.   It’s been too long since my last visit to the Saul family cemetery, along F.M. 1660.   It’s an area impacted by incredible growth, but the cemetery survives.   The Saul family settled the Brushy Creek area in 1850.  Charles Saul, born in 1818,  purchased a 640-acre tract here in 1862.  This part of his ranch was used as a burial ground when Charles died in 1870.   There are 23 marked graves, plus a few unmarked slave burials.  The last person was laid to rest here in 1918.  The cemetery is still maintained by family members.  This area continues to grow.  Some might say it thrives.  We’ll see how that goes.

Just some deer seen this evening at Granger Lake.   They don’t always wander out of the woods , but did so tonight.

Another of those leftover photos, this one from Christmas Eve at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens in Georgetown.   This plant resides next to the pond.   Don’t ask me what it is because I have no idea.   It’s just relaxing to see.

On Christmas afternoon, I took a drive around my area, often with no clue as to what I’d see.   Driving near Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill, I was transfixed by the light gracing a facade of the structure.   That kind of light doesn’t last long.   It was enough.   Taking that route was well worth it.

Things observed  on Christmas Eve in Georgetown, Texas.    River Rock Bible Church in Georgetown held a Christmas Eve service on the square.   Lights were held high as attendees joined in singing “Silent Night.”   I stopped by Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens, visiting  their pond’s observation area.   Placed there were rosary beads.   It’s a very quiet place.     As I left the square’s Christmas Eve service  a Waxing Crescent moon, at 4.2 % visibility, made an appearance.   It was a nice ending to a good day.

Throughout the Christmas season I’ve been snapping photos of displays in some towns near us, opening with the Georgetown Palace, where “Holiday Inn” and “A Tuna Christmas” will be playing through December 30, plus another of the Williamson County Courthouse, looking green and festive.   Another community included is  Holland, a small Bell County community north of Bartlett.   Plus a couple from Bartlett, another from Walburg.   The post concludes in Granger, where my friend Mike continues work on his cotton Christmas tree.  This year’s cotton crop wasn’t its best.   Mike used products made of cotton to build his tree, but did manage some actual cotton bolls to top it off.   It’s a noble effort.   And two more in Granger.   I like the one at Granger National Bank quite a lot.   The little Christmas tree in the window was a nice touch, but then a cat walked across the street, relaxing at the front door.  Some benefactor leaves dishes of food and water there for the area’s feral cats.   I hope they’re staying warm, but glad to see someone’s feeding them.