It’s not usually a planned thing, chasing after moon photos, but it happens. Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous moon was at 99.2% visibility, pretty dang close to full. Offered here are photos taken this evening at Taylor’s Murphy Park, where cormorants are abundant. They’re pretty cool birds. For the MLK holiday on Monday I have a paying assignment. Maybe I’ll forego a moon photo. We’ll see. 
Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous moon is just under 97% visibility. Always beautiful, whatever the phase. Think about flags for a minute. What state flag can folks from other places readily identify? I think you know the answer. These are the beautiful flags flying over Marshall’s Tavern in Taylor, Texas on this windy night. 
I kept thinking a notice would tell me that the Georgetown Parks & Recreation Kids Fishing Tournament, scheduled this morning at Blue Hole Lagoon Park, would be cancelled due to frigid and windy weather. Anglers, however, did show up for the chance to catch one of the 1500 rainbow trout placed in the chilly water. When fishing began at 8a.m. the wind was whipping up a fuss, temperatures holding in the mid-upper 30s. We’ve had gusts today past 40 miles per hour. But these little troopers 
stayed the course, even though some couldn’t hide their feelings. I’m glad it went on as planned. And even happier to return to the warmth of my old car.
Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous moon, 92.5% visibility, looked very nice above the old-growth trees at Georgetown’s Berry Springs Park & Preserve. One moon closeup is included, but I prefer to give a sense of place whenever possible. And this park begs to be noticed. 
Perhaps you recall a post from about two weeks ago, sunset behind a vintage truss bridge in Noack. The bridge spanning Brushy Creek now rests in a field, replaced by a modern (but boring) conveyance along the county road. Bridges, whether in use or not, are one of the structures I’m trying to document here on the Blackland Prairie. As development’s pace increases, it’s important record things before they become just memories. These photos were taken last evening, made possible by a property owner gracious enough to allow my camera’s presence. 
Note that this is posted land. Hopefully, other would-be photographers would respect the space. Get permission before you violate someone’s property.
I photograph quite a few churches in the area, but the one probably at the top of that list is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, in the Wuthrich Hill area east of Taylor. Resting atop a gentle hill, the church commands attention. The church cemetery is serene and well-maintained. And I love the little pond. These photos were taken as the day’s clouds stayed around after the rain had moved east. 
This old farmhouse, as seen tonight after a day of clouds and cold rain, was among my first impressions of the area where we moved in 2009. I was on my road bike, taking a ride through the countryside when seeing it for the first time. There it sat, surrounded by sky, very few trees, and a lot of land …. very very black land. After many years spent in the dissonant landscape that is metro-Atlanta, this was a refreshing sight. 
It’s still nice to see it.
Just two simple livestock photos tonight, friends. Those sheep are taken care of by a sheepherder friend I’ve photographed a few times, but I wanted to concentrate on his lovely red sheep barn this time. The other photo was made this evening, a gathering of cattle on a hill near Bartlett, Texas. 
While wandering around about 25 minutes north of home recently, I came upon a field of horses not photographed before. They didn’t seem to mind the camera’s presence, doing what made them happy. I was happy to discover them, too. The sunset was intense, the light that followed subdued, in a good way. That sunset image should’ve been first, but somehow algorithms moved it to the last spot. Go figure. 
Just a quick post, something from my daily walks last week. Some might see these as cute critters, but they are a member of the rodent family. 