Most of the windmills I photograph are in the countryside, but sometimes they show up in neighborhoods. The morning light on this one taken during a daily walk in Taylor merited a stop. My little Olympus camera is handy.
While I generally don’t adhere to various names for full moons, a Harvest Moon sounds dandy. These were taken this evening, first over Christ Lutheran Church in Noack, Texas. Then over a weathered barn, also in Noack. I swear that looks like a ghost peering out of that window! The moon chase concluded in the Milam County community of Thorndale. 
A drive 16 miles north to Bartlett tonight wasn’t for another moon photo, but there it was, shining over Clark Street, the main corridor through this community of a bit over 1600, partly in Williamson County, but also in Bell County. In its Waxing Gibbous phase, it was 97.1% visibility tonight. Note the upper windows in the last photo. That’s the moon reflected in its panes, a double reflection. Three shots don’t show the moon. They’re here just because I like them!
Just minutes south of Taylor is St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, a church founded by German and Swiss settlers in 1890. The sanctuary was built in 1905-06, a meeting hall added in 1925. Nestled in a community of less than 300, it’s a United Church of Christ congregation, not to be confused with the Church of Christ. I love photographing this church. Tonight’s photos were taken at sunset, followed by a moonrise, a Waxing Gibbous moon, at 92.1% visibility. Not quite a full moon, but enough. 
A leftover from Monday evening wandering west of Granger, Texas. A 
pastel interlude.
Just this one, a scene west of Granger, Texas from tonight, with a Waxing Gibbous moon at 84.3% visibility. Pastel clouds, and a windmill. Of course there’s a windmill. 
Stepping into our driveway this weekend, I noticed a visitor sitting on my car. The little guy was curious, perhaps concerned my presence might spell danger. After we stared each other down for a minute I grabbed a camera, watching him bound around for a while. Honestly, I could’ve just left well enough alone with the opening shot, but as you might know by now, I like to explore subjects a little. Our session done, I noticed him standing in the driveway, encouraging him to hop into the yard, away from a big car’s tires. He didn’t have to think twice. It was a nice visit. 
Photos taken this evening in Granger, Texas. Clouds made their presence known. The opening photo was one of the last ones taken tonight, a little bit before 8p.m., temperatures still in the mid-upper 90s. The opening photo was one of the last ones taken. Others are just fillers. 
I hope the rain comes soon. And temperatures take a nose dive.
On Saturday, the first day of Autumn, I spent National Public Lands Day at Pecan Springs Karst Preserve, a 1,205 acre space a few miles west of Jarrell, in Williamson County. An anonymous donor turned over the land to the Hill Country Conservancy, assuring it will remain pristine and immune to development. Despite our drought, the land’s connection to the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone allows water to hold its own here. The land is covered with old-growth trees including pecan, oaks, juniper and cedar. The gent in the straw hat places his hand on a pecan tree he guesses is 230-years-old. A board member from the Indigenous Cultures Institute in San Marcos played Native American flute as the land was blessed near one of the springs. The space also includes several limestone caves, where I stepped carefully. This morning’s 3-hour session was open to a handful of attendees. Eventually the general public will be able to access the land, which will be used for conservation, research, educational outreach and public recreation. With unchecked development decimating so many places, it’s nice to see this one will be protected for future generations. 
A Jonah sunrise on this first day of Autumn. At least it was somewhat cool a little after 7a.m. today, but the current Taylor temperature is 96. Sunday’s high is expected to be 99. The summer that keeps on giving. 
