Photos taken this week around the rookery at Taylor’s Murphy Park. The heat and absence of rain have taken a toll on the lake. The water is shallow. Our resident birds are able to walk across the water. One little duckling, shown in the last photo, is still tiny enough to swim across. Summers here can be a trial, not just on humans. 
While another post was planned, I saw this near Granger this evening, a mostly dry and cracked creek bed, a water source for these cattle. Today marked the 38th straight day with temperatures over 100 degrees, plus no significant rain. It’s taking a toll on not only humans, but livestock and crops. We need relief from this pain. Friends who say they prefer summer, do you still feel that way? 
On a recent drive near Circleville, I noticed two grackles engaged in what looked to be a serious discussion. When reaching for a camera, I assumed they’d be spooked and mosey on off. But they kept right on doing their thing. As far as they were concerned I wasn’t there. The prairie grass was nice, too. This continued for at least a couple minutes before one finally flew off. Discussion over. Grackles are birds disliked by many, but I love them. If it were up to me they’d be the Texas state bird. They’ve got spunk and aren’t afraid to show it. 
Although I’m up and around very early most days, getting outdoors to take photos is difficult, but sometimes it happens. A call of nature at 4:30a.m. resulted in not being able to go back to sleep. By 5:30 I just got up and read for a while. After a while, grabbing my cameras, I left the house as quietly as possible. The opening photo, a cornfield, was about 25 minutes ahead of sunrise. Others present the sun in some fashion, including the Frameswitch Ski Club site. With the awful heat we’re experiencing in Texas this summer, it was nice to meander around on some quiet country roads before, during and after sunrise. Most of my work will continue to be late-day wanderings, but the morning’s quietude was pleasant. Gosh, I hope we get some relief soon. 
I get backed up on photos taken during my walks. They’re mostly just snippets of things seen while strolling through Taylor parks and neighborhoods. Since they’re made during bits of exercise, not much time is spent on most subjects, but it’s fun to observe how light engages with a subject. A few ducks, of course. 
The Georgetown Animal Shelter teamed up with the Georgetown Public Library again this year for a kitten adoption, a happening I really enjoy covering. This year the shelter brought 19 kittens for adoption. Before the session ended, every kitten had found a new home. This post begins and concludes with Kolache, a 4-month-old tabby. Kolache was quickly photographed since I assumed he would soon be adopted. Near the end of adoptions, Kolache still hadn’t found a home. The other eighteen kittens were scooped up in no time. As shelter staff began packing up their gear it appeared Kolache would return with them. Then a lady who’d earlier cuddled Kolache decided he was going home with her after all! They’re together in the last photograph. Every kitten was adopted. Shelters all over the country have an abundance of cats and dogs available for adoption. Give them consideration when it’s time to add a new family member. 
It’s been over a month since we’ve had rain in Taylor, but sometimes we do get a cloud or two. This was tonight near sunset over Bill Pickett Trail. A couple of Ibis were likely headed for the rookery. 
Corn harvest continues all around our area of the prairie. A few egrets were more than happy to help clear that dusty field. 
During our intense summer heat spell, the sun bears down with greater intensity as the hours progress. It’s certainly true along a wonderful prairie road winding through East Williamson County. This is a late-day photo, the rays at their strongest, leaving the surrounding land mostly dark. I don’t cotton to our heat, but find its effect on landscapes to be fascinating. Fellow photographers, no I didn’t burn down the sides for effect. Nature does it for us. 
A scene that recently wandered into view. While I’d stopped for a photo of the barn, a little something extra materialized, a fleeting moment. Those sheep were focused on the fellow carrying food, not the guy taking a photo. 