About 10 or so years ago, I remember the popularity barn cats, brought into service to help rid barns of pesky rodents and other critters.   Are they still a thing?   I think so.   These fluffy and fat felines are resident mousers at a huge barn in Bell County.   The barn has plenty of places for the cats to get in out of the elements.  A good idea over the next couple nights.  The car?  I think that’s an early-50s Chevrolet, or what’s left of it.  I learned to drive on one of those,  in a graveyard in Atlanta, Texas.  Ours was a  black  1952 Chevy with three speed on the column.  As daddy said, “Everything’s already dead here, Andy.”   It made sense to me.

The winter light continues to adorn areas of the Blackland Prairie, as in these late-January scenes close to Thrall, Texas.    Reminders of earlier times remain.   For now.

Although some of the work I produce could be considered pretty, one of the things I’ve been trying to do for several years is document what’s leaving us as the area continues to expand, diminishing the rural character.   Taylor, the town where we live, is just 32 miles from Austin.    Windmills have been a part of this area for many years, but with progress comes change.  The opening photo was taken on a cool  evening  filled with warm light earlier this month.   That’s followed by two more taken during tonight’s rainy weather.   But it’s the last three photos that prompted a bit of melancholy  this past weekend.   I’d photographed that windmill  a few years ago.   Over time, brush and trees grew up around it.     A few days ago, it was exciting to see someone trimming away the brush.  I looked forward to updated photos.   Now it’s gone.   Some things just leave us. 

Initially I referred to these flying contraptions as paragliders, but when searching correct terminology, if a small engine is attached, they are called paramotors.   With or without an engine, whatever you call them, I love seeing these above Taylor, Texas.    Participants love to take off and land at Taylor Regional Park.   I haven’t seen them in a while, but am glad they’re back!

I’d stopped in Granger last evening to take a photo that didn’t happen.  Oh well.   On  the way back to my car it was hard to miss the two pooches waiting with their human for the dang traffic on Texas 95 to lighten up so they could continue on their travels west.   The poor driver was stuck there for at least 2-3 minutes, providing a nice photo opportunity.   The motorist  finally got a break, crossing the railroad tracks and moseying on, his babies happy to be getting some fresh air again.    Just a little slice of life, friends. 

Just some photos from my daily walks throughout the week.   All strolls were in Taylor.   Since buying a used small camera (Olympus) along  with a good telephoto lens, these walks have been much more fun!    The opening photo is on a gray morning, clouds gathered above St. James Episcopal Church, here since 1893.    I was glad to get some agreeable turtles  in a couple photos.   They usually dart right into the water when I get too close.   

Stepping into the backyard about 25 minutes ahead of this morning’s sunrise in Taylor, I got a glimpse of a nice Waning Crescent moon, 17.4% visibility.    Two variations, one focused on the moon, the other on a bare winter tree.

The quality of winter’s light is always pretty nice, but lately it’s been really grand here on the Blackland Prairie.  These photos were taken Wednesday as I wandered around the Coupland area beginning in the late-afternoon, then well past sunset.   I know the light is great in other places, too, but this is where I do my work.   And I’m glad.

Bartlett’s late-1800s-early 1900s architecture, combined with cobblestone streets,  continues to be intriguing.   At this time of year, I especially enjoy photographing it in the early-evening hours.     These were photos taken a few nights ago, my own weird interpretations.     I wonder what the town’s population is now.   The 2010 census had it at a little over 1600, but I’m pretty sure they’ve added a few folks.   Part of the town is in Williamson County, the rest in Bell County.

Since early-December I’ve been toting around a little used Olympus camera on my daily walks.  The camera, and a couple lenses, were purchased when my eye surgeon asked that I limit weight carried to fifteen pounds.   My Nikons exceeded that by a good bit.   For a few weeks, the Olympus became the main camera, but I’ve found it wonderful for two-hour walks.   These were taken the past two mornings, a bit of rain and mist to make things interesting.   Note that the camera was covered.   If you need a theme, let’s call it birds.   We’ve an abundance of them in Taylor.   Included here are a cormorant doing a good impression of an orchestra conductor, a Great Blue Heron perched on top of a tree  and a duck moseying through the water at Murphy Park.
The last image is just a leaf I like.  It’s interesting that we still what could pass for autumn color in late-January!