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!

Misty nights like this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I like them.  Color images, except for a few tones, become shades of gray.   I won’t try to explain the attraction, but there it is.  Tonight on the Blackland Prairie. 

Sometimes I’ll let photo files pile up on my desktop.  Occasionally, they come together as a little theme.   Grain elevators are abundant in farm country.   I see (and photograph) them often.   These are three taken in the past couple weeks.

The first time I saw Gardner Cemetery was a few years ago, a warm Spring day.   Driving through Circleville, I saw a patch of bluebonnets on a hill.   When I got out of the car for a closer look at the wildflowers, I was surprised to find a small family cemetery.   Tall grass  grew all around, but I  trudged forward, oblivious of possible crawling reptiles.   On a drive by there this week, it was nice to see that someone had been tending this resting place.   The grass was neatly trimmed, gravestones repaired.    It’s hard to know when the last person was interred here, but it’s been a while.  Most of the headstones are from the early-mid 1800s.    Cemeteries keep  history alive, even when we’re gone.   I like that this one’s being cared for so well.