Just a photo from one of my daily walks this week in Taylor, seen while strolling through Murphy Park.   Egrets get the most attention at this park each year, but ducks are our constant companions.   I like how she had the entire pond to herself.

A few friends in other parts of the country assume we live in the Texas Hill Country.   In fact, we live probably an hour away, in the area called the Blackland Prairie.   We do, however, have a few good hills in farm country.   Driving near Thrall this evening, I happened on this young fellow perched on top of his truck near sunset.   At first I thought he was having car trouble, but he assured me he liked the view from this beautiful hill.  He lives in a far more crowded part of the county, but made the drive to take in some of our views.   He’s an iconic young Texan.

Perhaps we’ll get some storms before the night is over, but the prairie skies were still interesting this evening.     From Walburg to Bartlett.

Along a county road near Granger, Texas.   The Blackland Prairie has been home to farmers for many years.   When you see farm equipment ahead, be patient.  These roads have been home to those who till the land for many years.

The photos presented tonight were taken Saturday evening, close to our home in Taylor.   A barn interior opens this group.   For several years I wanted to photograph the barn.   Five years ago, the owners granted permission to do so while on their land.   Also there is a very old hand shack. In earlier times, hand shacks provided shelter for seasonal laborers tending fields.   A few survive.   Spring growth has engulfed the tiny structure, but a side view provides a little of its facade.  Surrounding all this is an abundance of healthy wheat.   The road where these were taken is being widened.  We  march toward progress.  Maybe.

Red-Winged Blackbirds are lovely.   If it weren’t for that little bit of red, the little birds might go unnoticed.  This one was seen at the edge of a field east of Granger, comfortable in her space.   The “space” was water collected in a field near crops, much smaller than a stock pond.    Some places might be missed if you’re in a hurry.  Slowing down is good for your heart.   And soul.

These are from daily walks this week, all taken with my “walking camera,” a little Olympus OM-D E-M5 purchased used after cataract surgery in late 2021.  The compact camera goes with me on every daily walk.   Leaves are tonight’s theme.  

“Once On This Island,” opening tonight at the Georgetown Palace,  is a musical about a peasant girl in the French Antilles who falls in love with a rich boy and makes a deal with the gods to save his life.    The original Broadway production ran from 1990 to 1991.  The West End production opened in 1994, where it won the 1995 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.    A few photos from last night’s dress rehearsal are offered here.   There’s no way still photos can come close to see the actual show, but hopefully it encourages attendance.    The actors were excellent, especially the youngest cast member, now a fifth grader.   She’s someone we’ll probably see onstage again.   Her mom is also in the show.  And kudos to Kirk Kelso, one of the finest actors I’ve seen.    Shows are weekends through June 18th.

This small collection of rookery photos were taken Tuesday evening at Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Although another task brought me there, it’s hard to pass up good light.   A duck made it into this post.  With all the egrets and ibis currently in residence, our ducks take a back seat.   Not this time.

The Georgetown Independent School District held their Special Olympics today.   It’s an honor to cover these events, all filled with great personal moments for athletes and their families.   The gentleman with the straw hat, a middle school teacher, is the school district’s Secondary School Teacher of the Year.   I thought it nice to include him.