Texas and the Southwest make the news almost every day in recent weeks due to our string of 100-plus days. It could be worse. We could be in Phoenix. Wednesday afternoon folks were finding relief from the intense heat at Georgetown’s Blue Hole Park, just north of the town square. I’m actually surprised it wasn’t more crowded. 
On the last stretch of my drive from Georgia Tuesday evening I stopped briefly to take in this wonderful prairie scene about an hour from home. It’s in the far eastern portion of Milam County, Texas. This is an early-evening photo. Last year I photographed it in morning light. It looks fine either way. Future unchecked development (hopefully) make take a while to sink its tentacles into the elegance of this site. 
Another offering from my excursion to Georgia, this one at Anna Ruby Falls, a little northeast of Helen, Georgia. When we arrived it was already early-afternoon. The light wasn’t to my liking, but I made the best of it. The falls are much prettier when viewed in the right light. The other photos were taken along the steep trail leading up to the falls. It’s quite a nice place. Just watching light, friends. 
A Sunday afternoon scene at at Georgia’s Lake Lanier, something from my cross country wandering this past few days. I’m throughly on the road, keeping it simple. 
During the almost three decades we lived in metro-Atlanta I ran at least 30,000 miles on the 18-mile network of unpaved trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. In those days I was a fairly serious runner. My running group spent countless hours on the trails, but because running was part of my nomenclature, noticing the natural beauty around me took a backseat. This week, returning to Georgia to visit family, I stopped by the park for about an hour. These days I’m a walker. I take time to see what’s around me. Pine trees and pine cones. This park, close to stressful havoc, is worth seeing. These are from a slow walk around the park. Slow down, friends. Feel the quiet intensity. 
Posting some duck photos while continuing my out-of-town journey. Many Taylor residents appreciate our ducks. I do. 
Continuing posts while traveling, taken where we live a few days ago. Included are some nice hay bales and barns, plus cotton beginning to come to life. Just blooms on the cotton so far, but it’s coming along nicely. 
Something photographed in Taylor before I left for my road trip. Excuse the subtle presence of power lines. What you see is what you see. 
I’ve just driven 11 hours straight, but wanted to share some corn harvest photos taken a couple days ago. The harvest continues on the dusty 
Blackland Prairie. Deer (and birds) like to visit harvested fields. They’re pretty smart beings. 
A few photos from daily walks in Taylor. In recent weeks, I’ve begun to take particular note of small things, biological things, sometimes birds, or whatever catches my eye. It’s really just paying close attention to light. And nature. 
