Both photographs were taken at essentially the same location, but with different lenses.   Each is adorned with subject matter I love.   Continued development may impact these places, but hopefully it will be gradual process.   The land and sky are peaceful in our slice  of Central Texas.

The 2023 cotton yield in our area was so bad I didn’t make an effort to do photos at a cotton gin, but 2024 is a far better year, reason enough to spend time at Waterloo Gin, just east of Taylor.   Co-owners David Woollett and Clement Strmiska are staying very busy this summer.  Something I’d forgotten was just how dusty cotton gins can be. My allergy and sinus issues were  quick to remind me, but I still enjoyed  watching this team in action. Clement’s daughter Holly is there to help, too.  These photographs were taken on three recent visits.  One evening I rode along with Clement while he retrieved 19,000-20,000 cotton modules from the fields.   The gin has nine trucks, but not all are running all the time.  Sometimes the state power grid lets the guys know it’s time to call it a day a little early, but mostly they work past sunset, usually six days a week.  Cotton gins are atmospheric reminders of our state’s heritage.   Even in tougher years, Texas remains the top cotton producer in the United States.

It’s been a few years since I last photographed St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Richland, Texas, actually Pflugerville now.   I was shocked to see the area in front of the church taken over by development.   I gave it a pass, but managed a sunset photo before moving along to New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church, just a short distance away.   Tonight’s full moon, a Harvest Moon,  is from New Sweden.   I try to refrain from returning to the same place too much, but the church in New Sweden continues to inspire.

From right here in Taylor, Texas tonight, a Waxing Gibbous moon, at 98.3% visibility, shines over Williamson County Grain.   The birds are egrets en route to the rookery.

This season’s cotton crop is looking far better than what our farmers were handed in 2023, when heat and drought combined to make it a problematic year.    A few evenings back I joined Aaron Martinka as he commenced harvesting his 1100 acre cotton crop.   The photos seen here were taken near Walburg.   I’m seeing a lot of fields awaiting harvest, most looking quite elegant.   This is a crucial time when farmers might not want the rain to come for a few days.   It’s a difficult chore to harvest a soggy field.   Many thanks to Aaron for his kindness in allowing me to tag along. 

You know, I take these photographs on daily walks, but they mainly fulfill the need to photograph something.   Thank goodness for smaller cameras that don’t beat one up.   From the last few mornings.   All are in Taylor, but the red flowers.   Those are in Georgetown.  Sometimes, if it works out, I stroll over there, too.  Just watching light, friends.  Even on fire hydrants. 

Whenever my decrepit self allows, it’s rewarding to connect with the first light of day.    These were taken this morning during my brief drive from Taylor to Georgetown.  Sunrise was a few minutes after 7a.m.   Less than five minutes later, the San Gabriel River merited a photograph.  The post concludes at the Jonah School site.   The school opened in 1922.  That pecan tree is likely a bit older.   The merry-go-round, I’m pretty sure, is original.  It needs some work, but it’s still here.    A tired photographer also remains.

On this recent evening I wasn’t seeing much inspiration until a field adorned with prairie grass came along.    Coming to a stop, there was hope I’d get an opportunity to document what was there, but one never knows.   Once truly agrarian, our area of Central Texas is morphing into a developer’s paradise.   Thankfully, I was able to stop for a couple of minutes to record this scene.   No fast-moving vehicles barreled along behind me.  These were quiet moments.   A little bit of prairie grass on the Blackland Prairie, my friends.

Granted, I probably post too much about Taylor’s rookery, but it’s a therapy that grounds me.   Those egrets (and a few Ibis) have provided resourceful use of my time since 2009.   These are from a few evenings ago.   Thinking back to last year, the rookery was in poor shape.   The summer heat and lack of rain decimated the bird’s habitat.   While this summer hasn’t been ideal, at least there’s water in the lake now.   We didn’t move to Taylor because of the rookery, but it’s a nice bonus.   My house is less than a mile away.   I’m still waiting for the birds to lay waste to our roof and yard.    Quite a few birds will be leaving soon.  The park will still be there, as well as herons, geese, cormorants and ducks.  These sky dancers, however, will be missed.

Patriot Day commemorates the losses we experienced on September 11, 2001.  The City of Taylor began holding their Patriot Day observances the year after 9/11.   A few photos tonight from their parade and program in downtown Taylor, Texas.   The ringing of the bell acknowledges the loss of a firefighter in the line of duty.   It’s quite moving to see. Please remember these things, my friends.