Seen on my morning walk today.    After all, this is Taylor, Texas, where ducks are given leeway as they wander through neighborhoods.    The photo is a little busy (too many cars and trash cans), but I like the moment.  

A farmer clears remnants after a recent corn harvest in Taylor.  I’ve always admired this barn.  This was a good excuse to display it again, plus give you a good feel for our Blackland Prairie.    This was taken at mid-day, my least favorite time for photos, but sometimes you just must click that shutter.

Two photos taken in the minutes after sunset in East Williamson County, Texas.   The opening photo is from last weekend, Granger’s Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.   The second one, heavenly light,  is from this evening, a little north of Granger.  Those are railroad tracks in the lower portion.

This evening I pulled up the weather forecast for the next ten days, showing more of the same, no rain and very high temperatures in the low-100s.   Us humans are feeling the angst, but so are some of our animal friends.   Offered tonight are some photos taken during my daily walks around Taylor.   Water levels are getting low.  In some areas the water’s just gone.   A couple weeks ago I posted a photo of fish rising to the surface of Bull Branch Creek.  A couple of science-minded friends explained it was due to lack of oxygen in the water sources.   Most of the remaining water looks sad.   Keep praying for rain, friends.   In case you’re wondering, the little critter poking its head out of the water is either a nutria or beaver.   Without seeing a tail, it’s hard to tell.

A full day and evening was spent photographing the annual bazaar and evening dance at Granger’s Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.   The early part of the day was spent watching church members preparing brisket, sausage and plenty of vegetables  at the parish hall.   If so desired, attendees could receive plates via a to-go line.   One lady who was first in line arrived over an hour early, but a lot of folks chose to dine in the parish hall.  I like the young fellow giving his mama a big hug, plus a bright-eyed 7-year-old enjoying the festivities.  This evening a dance was held in the parish hall, with traditional Czech music provided by Fritz Hodde and the Fabulous Six.  This is such a pleasurable undertaking each year.

Sunset nears tonight over West Davilla Street in downtown Granger, Texas.   It’s a picturesque community of around 1500  only ten miles north of Taylor.   In the 2010 Coen brothers remake of “True Grit” this street played the role of late-1800s Fort Smith, Arkansas.   It continues to have the look and feel of that time.   If you’ve not read the novel, I recommend spending some time with this great work by Charles Portis, an Arkansas writer who died in February 2020.  

Dove season begins this weekend in our area of Texas.   Friends and families from throughout the state, and from other states, flock to Central Texas to participate.   I don’t always photograph it, but much of the land where hunters have pursued their passion is being scooped up by development.   Thousands of acres are on the market, including the ones documented this weekend.   Things do change.

This is the farm near Walburg where I photographed Wednesday night’s Blue Moon.   It’s 189 acres of beautiful Blackland Prairie land owned by a  friend who allows me to roam there  whenever possible.   Before the moonrise I spent some quiet minutes documenting what caught my eye.   A recent corn harvest allowed a fine view of the rich Blackland Prairie soil.  There are several tanks (ponds) onsite, hurting a bit because of the heat and drought, but they’re holding on.   Sunsets are special here.   As is that wonderful windmill.  Progress is rampant here, but my friend is determined to keep this good land pristine for future generations.

Photography has been a way to earn a living for over five decades, but as I like to remind folks, it’s also a therapy.   One from a daily walk.

A sunset tonight over Taylor, Texas.   This is quite close to where we live, also close to a huge semiconductor plant being built.   Land all around here is for sale.   Things change, but what do we lose in the process?