While out scouting around for a full moon (actually Waxing Gibbous, 99.5% visibility) I was about to give up because of clouds during the first hour of moonrise in our area.  Driving along a county road east of Granger, however, I found a crew from Bartlett Electric Co-Op Inc (BEC Power)  working to restore power under that moon.    With the devastation caused by this week’s ice storm in Central Texas, crews like this are doing their best to make things better for all of us.    Many of us appreciate their efforts.

Our neighborhood rooster was demonstrating his dancing skills this week.  If not mistaken, I think roosters are supposed to be a no no in Taylor city limits, but this guy is cool, even when he crows at the crack of dawn.  The last photo isn’t tack sharp, but I liked how he crowed about his fancy footwork!    For the first 7 years of my life in Texarkana, Texas, we raised chickens.  When I was old enough, my parents gave the task of collecting eggs.   It would’ve been easy if not for a gigantic rooster doing his best Foghorn Leghorn moves to dissuade me.   For a 6-year-old I was pretty small.   That rooster was big enough to look me in the eyes.   Although I missed the fresh eggs when we gave up chickens, I did not miss that  the big bird.

Our Central Texas winters can be stressful, but the past couple days it’s just been cold, with occasional bits of moisture.   So far, no snow, just ice. Temperatures didn’t get past the low-30s today.   The pattern continues Wednesday, but with more moisture.   The photos here begin at Georgetown’s Berry Springs Park and Preserve, where the mist on the pond was nice.   Not far from the park, horses and a mule find shelter from the biting wind.   And some  icicle-laden trees in Circleville.

A friend asked if I’d offer a black-and-white version of the hand shack engulfed in early-morning mist.   This is for you, Kurt.

Tree photos tonight, friends.   The first two photos were taken at the Circleville ranch of my friend Carol Fox.   A mesquite tree commands space on a gentle hill.  The long drive leading into and out of the ranch is pictured as I was leaving.  It’s my favorite for this post.   The last photo was taken tonight in Taylor. If you’re interested, that’s the Williamson County Expo Center in the background at left.   Just some tree things.

It’s remained misty all weekend in Central Texas.   I wandered around Saturday and Sunday to take a look.   The opening photo is the hand shack posted just a few days ago.  Both were early-morning efforts.   When not covered up by crops or trees, I photograph that shack.    Friends with an interest in taking photos could expand their vision  by occasionally documenting the same subject to see  how it changes.   It could be anything you find worthwhile.   Other photos in this post include the old (retired) truss bridge spanning the San Gabriel River near Taylor, four photos from Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown, plus a dirt road east of Taylor.    We’re expecting some pretty cold weather here over the next few days.  Maybe some precipitation, too.

This is about passages.  Recently, when pausing  to chat with friend Carol Fox at the grocery store, she mentioned I might like to stop by her Circleville ranch for photos of Benny, one of her three horses.  The others are Martini and Cutter.   I stopped by this week, on the night before Benny moved to another home about an hour away.   Two horses are enough for this busy rancher, writer and retired teacher.   My focus is just on Benny and Carol.   Things change, but I’ll miss seeing Benny.

Late Thursday afternoon I drove to Georgetown in search of people photos, but found time with the avian world quite pleasant.   These are along the San Gabriel River, as viewed at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.  There I found ducks, geese and a few Great Egrets as they settled in for the evening.   Geese are reputed to have bad manners, but I like their attitude.   While at San Gabriel Park a few years ago, I remember a young man who befriended a goose.  The two were well-bonded.  The goose allowed him to pick her up for some cuddling time.   She knew when he came to the park and sought him out.  But I digress.   This is just about the gentle scenes observed last night at the river.  Quiet stuff. 

Recently a friend on Facebook reached out about using some of my photos to build a page about her church, Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval, Texas.   In recent months, the beautiful structure resting in East Williamson County, but close to Milam County, has had some hard times. Recent storms have stripped part of the roof away.   Paint is peeling in several places.  They’ve been without a pastor since October.  She’s welcome to any of my past photos, but I drove out there this week to take a look for myself.  For the first time the unsightly water tower is included.   The water facility belongs to Milam County.   I wonder why it’s not there.  And why it’s so close to a church.   At any rate, a few photos, including one at sunset , taken from a distance.

Although I’m up quite early most days, getting outside for photos is difficult. This morning was different, a chance to absorb some of those early rays of light.  The subject matter doesn’t change, only how it’s presented.  The old hand shack is still standing.  Two versions are presented, one with a bird passing over.   The second one is a hundred yards north, where you can see the early crops starting to sprout.  The peeling barn is nearby.   The post concludes a few minutes later, a windmill and cistern.   Good light is a gift.