The Williamson County Livestock Show, which began in 1946, opened today with rabbit judging at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.   Immediately after walking in this morning, a celebration unfolded in front of me as a jubilant 12-year-old from Florence celebrated her win as the Breeding Rabbit Grand Champion.  She’s embracing her rabbit named Milkshake.  It was a nice moment to begin the day.   In most livestock shows, this one included, the rabbit judging takes hours.   There are many rabbits to be judged.   It takes a while!   When I left early this afternoon, the competition was still in play.   The really young kids pictured are there to support older family members.   The last couple are a young lady from Jarrell, adorned with personality. She earned a ribbon for her efforts in the Market Rabbit category.   Hopefully, I’ll be at the show a little more this week.

Another collection of photographs from weekly walks in Taylor.   These are from last week.    We do get autumn colors here, but as mentioned in September, it arrives later.  Evidence of needed rain is included.  We sure need it.    Since squirrels are abundant, and seemingly like to pose, one is again included here.   As a reminder, all walk photos are taken with a small Olympus camera, weighing little more than a smartphone.   

Offered tonight are photos from Christmas parades in Georgetown and Taylor.  The daytime photos were taken in Georgetown, during their Christmas Stroll.   Evening photographs are from tonight, right here in Taylor. Our Central Texas Saturday included temperatures in the 40s, with a good bit of rain.

The plan was to post some of those daily walk photographs, but when passing Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill tonight,  I decided to go another way.    Wuthrich Hill is an area a few miles east of Taylor.   I’ve probably photographed this church more than any subject since returning to Texas.  Years ago, the trees didn’t cover so much of the church’s facade.  I like trees, but wish they were kinder to this structure.   The cemetery , just down the hill, is the essence of peace.   The final  two  photographs of the same cemetery spot are included, the last one given a few extra highlights by an approaching vehicle.   Even with the trees, it’s an elegant space on the Blackland Prairie.

Tonight I attended the first of two Candlelight Services at Southwestern University, The Service of Lessons and Carols, at their Lois Perkins Chapel.   Their first candlelight service, held in 1915, was called the Christmas Carol Service.   It’s something I’ve  enjoyed every December for the past  dozen years.

The photographs offered tonight were taken at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park, very close to home.   Many of those daily walk photos were taken at this nice community park.  We’ve had moments of rain throughout the day, continuing this evening.    It was good time for some night photography, equipped with a handy tripod.    It’s an elegant destination, day or night.  

These were taken just as the last light of day tried to hold on.  At first I noticed cows silhouetted on a hill south of Taylor, but continued to watch as a little family gathered for a few moments.   After the little one skedaddled, mom and dad stayed close.   Note that I detest power lines, but don’t remove them to create a more aesthetic scene.   That is not done in documentary photojournalism.   The photography world I’ve known is being swallowed by post-processing dishonesty.   

Nearing completion of my daily wandering near Coupland,  the sky was adorned with a tiny sliver of  moon, a Waxing Crescent moon, at 3.4 percent visibility.   Within a few short minutes, it was consumed by clouds, but not before recording what I saw.

The luminaries filled the night skies at Georgetown’s St. John’s Methodist Church on Saturday, here for the duration of the holidays.   The church is on a very busy University Avenue, something calming as you deal with traffic woes.  A second photograph gives you a sense of the area.     Be sure to see them if you are in town. 

While waiting on full darkness to arrive on Saturday, I made a brief visit to the San Gabriel River for those golden few minutes near sundown.   I’m not sure who coined the phrase “golden hour,” but it’s far more brief.   Just snippets from those minutes, including a fisherman calling it a day, lugging his kayak, unaware of a visitor overhead.   And a gentleman taking it all in from the comfort of his chair.    The post concludes with two scenes.   A quiet few minutes, friends.