Much of this afternoon and early-evening was spent at the Georgetown square for the arrival of the U.S. National Christmas Tree.   The 60-foot tall tree is a Colorado Blue Spruce from the Carson National Forest in New Mexico.  Its journey is being made in a tractor trailer.   If all goes as planned it will be installed on the grounds of the United States Capitol on November 25th.   Folks came out in large numbers to see it today. Many were gifted with twigs from the tree to take home.    A few families, however, came to see Santa Claus and a reindeer friend called Rose.   Rose and the kids were the most fun part of the day and therefore lead this post.

These photos, as the ones posted earlier, are also from Taylor’s Bull Branch Park.  Unlike the last post, these were taken during daylight hours.   The color palette is looking pretty nice this season and I’m content with these results.   What really sparked my interest, however, were the reeds surrounding the park’s pond.   I had no idea autumn could affect them, too.   They were fascinating, particularly when I walked to different areas, observing the changes in hues as the camera angle changed. Light changes when we move around (of course it does).  Intriguing subjects.

After a day of rain in Taylor on Thursday, I was heading home about an hour past sunset.   On my right, Bull Branch Park was covered in a fine mist and fog, accentuated by the park’s lights.   It was compelling enough that a stop was in order.   The light levels were low, but that wasn’t a problem because, as always, a tripod is nearby.  While much of what I photograph doesn’t lend itself to a tripod’s use, this did.   A future post will present some daylight photos of the park’s autumn colors, but this fit the bill tonight.  And yes, that shiny spot in the last photo (with a bit of light painting on the reeds) is our planet’s moon.  I love the moon. 

While we don’t have the abundant autumn color afforded to some areas,  it’s turning out to be a pretty good year for it in Georgetown, Texas.    These photos were made last weekend in three area city parks.   I’ll keep the words brief this time and let the images do the communicating.

These four photographs were made a few weeks ago at Taylor’s Murphy Park.  Although many of the nesting egrets have moved on from the rookery, cormorants, ducks and geese are plentiful throughout  the year.  Some of the egrets have remained, like the ones you see flying toward the cormorant-covered rookery.  These visits to the park are enriching bits of therapy.

As if it needs a name,  the full moon this evening is called a Beaver Moon.  I just know it’s mighty nice.   These images were made above some friends’ grain elevators in Norman’s Crossing, Texas.   When the moon first rises, at least in its full state, it is often imbued with rich color, but only briefly.   After getting that first photo, I took note of the moon’s light gently gracing the facades of the elevators.  It was intriguing enough to keep me outside on a cold night for a few extra minutes.

Although unusual, a second post tonight.   Veterans Day pushes the envelope this time.   These are photos made on this cold and rainy evening at Taylor Cafe, the barbecue cafe opened by Vencil Mares in Taylor, Texas in 1948.   Mr. Mares turned 96 on Sunday.  Taylor dubbed it Vencil Mares Day.  Vencil was a combat medic during World War II.   Feeling patriotic urges, he managed to join at 16.   A few years after the war, he came to Taylor and opened Taylor Cafe.   Even though confined to a wheelchair, he’s there by 6a.m., not leaving before 9p.m.   Others keep things going, but Vencil is there.  Friends and family will have a birthday party for Vencil at the restaurant beginning at 5p.m. Tuesday.   Happy birthday, sir.

This might be the 9th year in a row I’ve documented a Veterans Day observance at the Georgetown-Williamson County Memorial Plaza in Sun City, Texas.  Because of an impending cold front and rain, I expected it to be moved  indoors, but Mother Nature was nice, allowing a few hundred folks to enjoy an autumn morning in Texas.  Most of the photos speak for themselves, but a couple of notes if you don’t mind.    The gentleman standing up in a crowd is Ernest, 99.  He’ll be 100 in February.   He’s a veteran of both World War II and Korea.   The group of three men, plus the African-American gent, are all members of the Vietnam-era  Crusaders, the 187th Assault Helicopter Company.   The group has an annual reunion each year.  This year’s is in Austin.   About 70 of their company’s members took time away from their gathering in Austin to attend this event.   The last photo, taken after the observance is of a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. who will be 89 this week.   He’s been there every year I attended.   He’s getting a hand from his son-in-law, also an Air Force veteran.   The rain and cold had arrived when this image was made.   Things wound down in the nick of time.

The Field of Honor in Georgetown, Texas, visited in this space last evening, had its official opening ceremonies this afternoon at San Gabriel Park.   Just a few more photos from there.  1500 flags are flying throughout the week, made possible by the Georgetown Rotary Club.   The young beauty queen is admiring a flag honoring her great-grandfather, a U.S. Army veteran.  The Boy Scout is retiring worn and tattered flags in the appropriate manner, by fire.   It’s really very respectful.  He retired over 300 flags today.   The flags will remain here through next Saturday.

These photos were taken during a visit to San Gabriel Park tonight to view the annual Field of Honor presented by the Georgetown Rotary Club.  The flags honor veterans and their families.  The 1500 flags will be flying until November 17th. The young lady helping keep the flags in order is a troop member with a Georgetown chapter of American Heritage Girls.    I was fortunate to see a Waxing Gibbous moon above, 94.4% visible.    And I met Dwight, a Marine Corps veteran who purchased a flag to fly here this evening.   He’s telling me about the walking stick he made himself.  It’s adorned with Corps memories from his 30 years of service.