Photographs from Friday night’s Lighting of the Square in Georgetown, Texas are presented this morning.   They would’ve been posted last night, but the worn-out photographer fell asleep.   Time marches on.  The opening photo is this year’s favorite.   That young lady was completely enthralled with the Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn.  The photo involved having to get down on her level, assuming she’d notice the camera’s distraction, but she did not.   Happy Christmas, friends.

From a recent drive this week.  This merited a brief stop.   Just a snapshot, but sometimes it’s what there is.

During Spring and Summer months the lake in Taylor’s Murphy Park is alive with activity as egrets bring new life into the world.    After mating season each year a few egrets stay around, mingling with the cormorants and herons.   It’s much quieter now, but still inspiring.   These were taken this evening.

Georgetown’s Community Thanksgiving was held this morning in the Community Center at San Gabriel Park.  The event is sponsored by the Georgetown Police and Fire Departments, the Georgetown Beard Club and G.W. Pyro, with assistance from a lot of volunteers.  Anyone seeking a free Thanksgiving meal was welcome.   A few of the area’s homeless were here today.   Four of the photographs here include members of that community.  Everyone, however, regardless of their circumstances,  found space here. The lady in the portrait  is Alycia Tandy, one of the founders of Community Thanksgiving.  She’s a neat lady.  

After far too much driving, not leading to much, Noack, Texas, a few miles east of Taylor, was quiet and soothing.   The post begins with Christ Lutheran Church, an often-photographed church, plus two versions of grain elevators less than a mile from the church.  The bins are owned by farmers who add some very nice lights on their bins.  Two variations, taken a few minutes apart, are included.    Have a peaceful Thanksgiving, friends.

Sometimes these windmill photographs get lost when sitting on the computer’s desktop for extended periods.

Taylor’s St. James Episcopal Church, built in 1893, is an elegant structure at the corner of 7th and Davis Streets.  Recent new paint and other renovations make it really shine, especially at night.   Included are three photographs taken this week.   A tripod was used, allowing slower shutter speeds and a lower ISO.  

Cloud formations were interesting tonight.  These settled nicely over long-abandoned railroad tracks a few miles east of Granger.

Just a continuation of daily walk photographs in Taylor.   Birds, leaves, trees and yet another squirrel.  There’s a fair amount of autumn color this year.

Photographs taken a few minutes after daylight slipped away tonight, all in downtown Taylor.   Night photography is a passion.  The opening one shows the southbound Amtrak train as it moves on from the Taylor train yard. And one of the underpinnings of the viaduct that takes Main Street over the tracks.  If you look closely, note the bicyclist at lower left.   The last one is what was for decades the Taylor Cafe, founded in the 40s after World War II  by veteran Vencil Mares, an Army medic during that conflict.  Vencil died at 96 a few years ago, but his barbecue restaurant location is still nestled under the viaduct.   Memories.