When the mood isn’t right for using a lot of fossil fuel, I am lucky to have some very nice parks in Taylor, Texas. Bull Branch Park, a few blocks from home, is one of those. It’s nice during the daytime, but at night, it can really come alive. Oh, and I’m glad those ducks were cooperative for my long camera exposures. The one posted here was 15 seconds. The ducks were like statues. Thank you, ducks!
When I’m in a blue mood, it’s not a bad thing. Blue is my favorite color. When it’s manifested on misty, foggy nights like this, it gives me good feelings. These three photos were made tonight within a hair’s breath of each other. Enjoy your night, too, friends.
A few weeks ago Texas Parks and Wildlife was scheduled to release over 1200 rainbow trout into the San Gabriel River water at Blue Hole Lagoon in Georgetown, Texas. For whatever reason, the release was postponed, but happened on Thursday. Today, when I was looking for something to document on a cold and misty Central Texas day, I remembered the new date. When arriving at Blue Hole, I found anglers focused on their task. The weather, hovering in the mid-30s, was not a factor. The trout I saw were kind of small, but the folks catching them didn’t seem to mind one bit. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun, a dedicated community newspaper.
Beyersville, Texas. It’s a destination in the far reaches of southeastern Williamson County, Texas that I often yearn to see. The western part of my county is developed to the point that its character has been diminished. That’s happening on my side as well, but if you go far enough, you can find serenity. Here are three similar images, all taken from a favorite viewing spot in the community of Beyersville. If I mentioned where I was, you’d think me odd. That I am. But it works.
Did anyone else in Central Texas happen to peek outside tonight a little after sunset? It may have been cold, but these Texas skies were singing a nice warm song. The last image is an iconic statue near the entrance to St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Taylor. Stay warm, friends.
During one of my early-evening ramblings recently, I was about to give up and head on home. Driving along a county road just east of Granger High School, however, I saw a light shining through a window, powerful enough to demand attention from two blocks away. Rather than going on home, I drove to the light source, which turned out to be the venerable gymnasium at the school. Since moving back to Texas in summer 2009, I’ve admired this building, but never stopped to take photos. That light, however, was a good reason to get acquainted. The photo session continued while I unpacked the tripod and took a few more photos, including one of the school mascot, a lion. Back home, I did some research and found out the gym opened in 1940, a Works Progress Administration project, part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. From 1935 to 1943, the WPA employed 8.5 million Americans at a time when it was most needed. I was intrigued enough to ask for a peek inside the gym. Granger High School principal was gracious with his time, allowing me to snap a few shots inside. Although this gym has been replaced by a more modern one, it’s still utilized for physical education classes and other school functions. It cheers me that the people in this small Central Texas town want to hold onto the things that count.
Sometimes things are close, but we don’t see them. Passing through my bedroom this morning, light falling on a family dresser that’s been in my family for many years caught my eye. Light filtering through a window can be harsh on sunny days, but clouds were with us, providing a more subtle set of textures to a scene. While wandering the countryside is good, nearness is good, too.
Jared Friemel is an amazing young man. So is his mom, Charlotte. On Saturday, I covered the statewide Special Olympic Games, where Jared was competing in powerlifting. But the Friemel family wasn’t finished with the weekend. When Sunday rolled around Jared and Charlotte, and Jack McDonnell, Jared’s caregiver, were at the Georgetown Sheraton where Jared and Jack were runway models for the 10th annual Georgetown Bridal Show. Tonight’s images are from Jared’s day of fashion modeling. Included at the end of this post is a photo I made of Jared in late-May 2011, when Jared received his diploma from Georgetown High School. During the 2010 football season he was named Homecoming King. I wish I’d been there for that. Jared is a rock star. So is his mom.
How about I keep the words shorter tonight, okay? These are photos from the statewide Special Olympics games, taken Saturday in Georgetown, Texas. The focus was on powerlifting, with a little bit of bowling tossed into the mix, but really, it was about the compassion these athletes show for each other, and their families and friends. One young man I’ve photographed almost every year since returning to Texas in 2009 is Georgetown’s Jared Friemel, pictured in a few of these photos. Every one of these competitors, however, are inspiring and exceptional. These were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
After a very busy Thursday evening, continuing into early Friday morning, on Friday evening I didn’t travel too far for photos. Taylor’s Murphy Park, only a mile from home, fit the bill nicely. Included: A man I’ve seen often since moving to Taylor in 2009, a bike his only mode of transport, or so it seems. A dad with his kids as they enjoy a ride on a pleasant night. And having fun on the swing set. Add to these images a few birds around and above the rookery. At this time of year, activity there is minimal, but you can always count on a few cormorants and egrets. Come Spring things will pick up. It’s still a nice park, whatever the season.
