Just a few photos taken while rambling across my area the past few days.   I’m seeing a lot of corn and wheat, but some of the cotton is beginning to grow.   Let’s hope the cotton season is better this year.  

A leftover photo from that bit of dirt road wandering in Milam County, Texas this week.    A quiet road,  with time to see life unfold. 

We got a boatload of heavy rain this afternoon in Central Texas.  I know some folks who sustained damage to their property as a result, but things seem to be settling down this evening.   As I often do, after the storm moved through I took a drive into the countryside.   There was a lot of water in most places, but Beyersville was my last stop before going home.   There’s probably not one specific place that speaks to why this area is so special, but this site, one photographed many times, might come close.   Look closely in the lower left and you’ll find a collection of large construction cranes.   That’s the site for Taylor’s Samsung Semiconductor plant under construction.  Where I’m taking the photo is perhaps ten miles away from there.   When we moved to Taylor in 2009 we were looking for a quiet place, a town where you could bike, run, or walk just about anywhere you needed to go.   That wasn’t possible in our previous home, metro-Atlanta.   I’ll admit to some positive factors with Samsung’s presence, but share the concern of some that the area’s character will change forever.   Some of it will be good, but  I am cautiously optimistic.   Unchecked growth has its drawbacks.

On Wednesday the Williamson County Parks Department let us know that Berry Springs Park & Preserve  will be closed for approximately three weeks beginning Monday, May 20th, time to allow some park road projects and other additions, including an extension of the trail under County Road 152.   On Wednesday evening I spent a little time at the park.   When getting into my car, however, I noticed a young man getting photographed by his big sister to commemorate his upcoming graduation from Georgetown’s East View High School, whose commencement is May 25th.   Photographer friends who love this park might want to visit before Monday!   It’s a great park, filled with old-growth pecan trees.

If you’ve followed this work for a while you know about my affection for unpaved roads.   The thing that really attracts me to them is just how peaceful they can be.    When traveling on a dirt road it’s rare that I’ll be rushed by someone  barreling  my way in the rearview mirror.  They’re the kind of spaces that often allow time to get out of the car for photos without disturbing others.   Three are presented tonight, but the first one, nestled under a canopy of trees in Milam County, Texas might be my favorite.   

In past years I’ve probably spent more time at the rookery in Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Last summer’s heat and drought, however, tempered my enthusiasm for these poor birds.  But it’s time to reconnect with these wonderful migratory creatures that arrive here each spring.   These are a collection of photos from Monday evening.   A few minutes into my session I noticed another photographer arriving to take photos.   She appeared to have good equipment and long lenses.   It’s not my style to disturb another photographer’s time.  We both continued our work.   Hopefully it was a good experience.   Shortly after I began taking photos here in summer 2009, a few longtime Taylor residents expressed their displeasure with the egrets.  They smelled bad, they left droppings on roofs and yards, etc.   What they also do is bring photographers from a long way off to record these birds.   And they spend money here.   Beyond that, they are a federally-protected species.   And their aerial ballet is downright beautiful.

With a lot on my plate tonight I’m just offering some windmill photos taken in the past few weeks.  Folks might know my affection for these rural skyscrapers.  You’ll see them here from time to time.   The opening photo is one I’m guessing you haven’t seen.   While I’ve passed by that one a few times, the golden light drew me in.   Windmills are divine.

These are photos  from a recent visit to a friend’s picturesque ranch in Circleville, just minutes north of Taylor.  The ranch is overseen by my friend and her brother, land that’s been in the family for many years.    I’ve photographed areas of their ranch a few times.   It’s one of those peaceful interludes.   The lane leading into and out of the ranch is quite nice all by itself.   And I suppose this adds to that collection of barn photos.   Plus a wildflower and a ladybug.

Approximately 750 cyclists lined up behind Georgetown’s Richarte High School Saturday morning for this year’s Red Poppy Bicycle Ride.   Temperatures at the start were in the mid-60s, with minimal wind.   Entrants chose from several mileage distances, including 14, 28, 40, 60 and 100 miles.   It’s a fine event benefitting the SERTOMA Scholarship Program for Georgetown ISD, the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and the City of Georgetown Bicycle Patrol Unit.  I always enjoy covering this noteworthy event!

Friday evening and today I was honored to take photos at Granger’s 45th Lakefest held in downtown Granger.   Note that there is a lake, but it’s several miles east.   This is just a snippet of what was going on.   There was a car show, barbecue cookoff, plus lots of music and food.   Their parade was this morning.   After the parade I just did the usual, wander around, but began to notice a couple walking hand-in-hand almost the entire time they were there.   I thought that was wonderful!  They’ve been wed 59 years, but their 60th anniversary nears.   Events like this not only define small-town Texas, but also small-town America.