Most of my photographer friends will post single images of their work.   For me, the exploration of a subject is enlightening.   At least to me it is.   This doesn’t mean I lack editing skills.  I just enjoy digging deeply into a subject.   Tonight’s subject is prairie grass, that wispy, weedy thing that grows along the side of our roads in Texas farm country.   Maybe there’s a more appropriate name for this stuff, but I like to call it as I see it.  

Happy Mothers Day from the Blackland Prairie in Texas.

Let’s face it, friends.   The coronavirus (COVID-19) dominates the news cycle.   And will for a while.   These are photos taken today for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.   The first shows COVID-19 drive-through testing conducted at Taylor Regional Park.   The tests, 96 today, were performed by members of the Texas National Guard.   Organizers asked that we not show any recognizable faces of those being tested.   I have that, but you won’t see it here.   The second photo, taken in Georgetown, presents two mask-clad gents waiting for haircuts at Georgetown Barbershop.   On Friday, our governor allowed salons and barber shops to resume their work, but with safety in mind.   The shop’s owner shared a sweet story.  While the shop was shut down because of the virus, the owner of her building didn’t collect rent for two months.   Texans taking care of Texans.  

When I really want to get away, but stay in Williamson County, the Beyersville community, in the southeastern part of the county, is where I go.  So far, it’s an area that remains untouched by rampant development.   So far, anyway.  These three images were taken there last evening.   Social distancing is easy there.

Well, they’re related in that both were taken in our Central Texas Blackland Prairie area, technically my stomping grounds since 2009.   Don’t confuse our prairie with the Texas Hill Country, which is quite beautiful.   Texas is quite a diverse place.   The agave plant sharing space with the moon is from Coupland, a few miles south of Taylor.  The other photo, a horse stretching out on a hill on a cloudy evening is a little northwest of Taylor.   Taylor is home base, of course.  Both photos were made this week. 

We had some good light  as the full moon rose near Granger, Texas tonight.  Rural Texas, particularly the Blackland Prairie, continues to bring joy to this photographer.

When I was done taking photos of the beautiful sunset over Christ Lutheran Church in Noack tonight, it seemed I wasn’t quite done.  Behind me a Waxing Gibbous moon, almost full at 97% visibility, was making an appearance, too.   The church was formed in the early-1890s by German settlers.  The current church, still active,  was built in 1916.

Another post where the subject matter doesn’t come together with a central theme. The first photo, offered in black-and-white, shows Mark, astride Boise, accompanied by his dog, Bo, as they meander through a ranch in Circleville, Texas.   I like the monotone version because it clarifies, but if you must see color, that version comes last.  In between the two is just something I like.   There you are.

I’m glad Taylor’s rookery is five minutes from my home.   There are times when I need to scale back from all that constant driving around the prairie.   Here, I can just sit down, take in the view.  And watch the aerial ballet.  If health allows, I’ll be back for more.

Another simple image tonight, friends.  I don’t feel the need to wax poetic when posting sunsets.   This view of the prairie, viewed  tonight,  is just south of Bartlett, Texas.