The Boehm family farm in Norman’s Crossing, Texas is a place I thoroughly enjoy documenting, but it’s been a while.   Last night, I stopped by for a few minutes.   One of the challenging things for me is negotiating the spiral staircase up the the tallest of their grain elevators.  Note that I am extremely afraid of high places, but once up there, it’s a great place to look out over the Blackland Prairie.  The only time I ever post a photo of myself is when sitting up there, if for no other reason than to prove the feat!   One image is a closeup where the soil is prominent.  An Instagram friend wondered what was meant by “Blackland Prairie.”   Well, friends, the soil is very dark indeed.  And quite rich.   Development is making a rapid gallop across this land.   The need to document before it’s gone is important to me.   Thanks to Dr. Dana Boehm and her brother, Troy for allowing this access to their wonderful land.

While Georgetown’s  Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens is a balm throughout the year, when Spring comes, it’s more soothing.  Lady Bird Johnson would’ve loved it.

For about two years I photographed this barn often.  It’s been several years since taking its photo, but one evening this week, it drew me in once more.  The light couldn’t have been better.   And Texas skies?  Impeccable.    Anyway, a revisit to a favorite barn in Jonah, Texas.

Whenever the opportunity comes up, I spend time admiring the San Gabriel River that courses through Central Texas.   Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.   I could think of no better tribute to the planet than here.    It was fun watching brothers enjoying a fishing trip with their family.   And observing a cormorant in its element was particularly nice.   Be kind to the planet, friends.

This morning, after getting the back yard mowed, a lot of rain fell in Taylor.  My wife’s roses glistened.  

Because it fits better in this layout, I’ll open with sunset over a wheat field in East Williamson County.  That image was taken Monday evening.   The second photo was taken in early-March, when I was in Coupland to take photos of photographer friend Todd Plybon.   We arrived at our destination before sunrise.   I’ve held onto the sunrise photo for a while, but it seems to pair well with the one taken last evening.  There are times when you don’t have to point the camera directly at the sun to get the idea. 

There are things I’ve photographed that have been sitting on my computer’s desktop for months.   One of those is Blue Hole Lagoon, in Georgetown, Texas.  Blue Hole is part of the San Gabriel River.  The granite outcroppings here are magical.  The “blue” seems to come after the sun goes down.    These were taken in late-2019.  I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested.  So I let them sit there.  Recently, the city of Georgetown, in response to COVID-19, closed Blue Hole.   I get that.  The area becomes extremely-crowded as temperatures rise.  On the evening these photos were made, however, things were quiet.   No crowds.  Social distancing wasn’t needed. Nobody was there, anyway.  Except a wandering photographer.

After running an errand this morning,  I was compelled to take in the fog enveloping the rookery at Murphy Park.   It was a short, but pleasant interlude to an otherwise stressful week.

This morning I started the day with some photos close to home, at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Community Ministries.   For many years, the pantry has provided food to those in need, not just in Taylor.   They partner with the Taylor Ministerial Alliance and Central Texas Food Bank.   I was happy to see that the current pandemic hasn’t put  a stop to their assistance.   Volunteers come ready to work, all wearing face masks and protective gloves.   The group distributes food to individuals and families three days a week.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s from 1-3p.m.  On Saturdays, it goes from 9-10:30am.  Nobody is turned away.  In fact, after their time had expired this morning, a lady (in the last photo)  stopped by, asking if she could still receive help, only just discharged from a hospital stay.   Shepherd’s Heart saw to her needs.   That is compassion, friends. 

While there’s no way to know, I’d swear this Great Blue Heron is the same one I’ve seen for a few years at Georgetown’s Berry Springs  Park & Preserve.  Most of the time, when she spots my camera, she hightails it for other venues.   This week, however, she was intent on locating a fish, seemingly ignoring my presence, hunkering down to the task at hand.   She finally gave up, turned my way and gave me a few seconds of stink eye before once again taking her leave.    She’s a pretty lady.  At least I think she’s a girl!