A few photos taken at Georgetown’s  commemoration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday this afternoon.  It began with a march from the town square, culminating in a service at Macedonia Baptist Church.   But note Cliff, one of the marchers.  During his walk, Cliff had a rather nasty fall.   Fellow walkers were there to help him along.   He made it to the church, where concerned participants made sure he was okay.   Among them was Georgetown’s police chief.   I’m reminded of a Beatles song, “With a Little Help from My Friends.”   It resonates.

The City of Round Rock held their 36th Annual Commemorative Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on Saturday.    These are some scenes from the day.   More MLK-related photos coming later.

It’s been several years since I last posted something from the Milam County community of Sharp, Texas.   A while after returning to Texas I was looking over the Texas page in my road atlas when the name of the town got my attention.   Even better, it was only about 45 minutes from our home in Taylor.   With the exception of the tractor photo (taken in late-October) these were taken this week.   Founded in the early-1870s, it was named after Dr. William Franklin Sharp, an area physician. Its population has never been large.  I think it’s under a 100 today.  It included a post office from 1900 to 1906.   The first burial in Sharp Cemetery was in 1880.  By the start of the 21st Century over 400 people were interred there.  Sharp General Store was built in 1895 and 1896 by Civil War Veteran Daniel G. Davis, Sr.   It was a center of commerce until closing in 1985.  People would gather on the front porch to visit and enjoy water from a huge barrel.  Sharp School, closed for decades, was built in 1939.  It had 12 classrooms, an auditorium and offices.  It looks pretty spooky today.  The Sharp Presbyterian Church building was completed in 1902, but the congregation dates to the early-1870s.   Members still gather for services, but not in this historic structure.  I like the light shining through one of the church windows at sunset. As far as I can surmise, my branch of the Sharp family has no connection to the town, but I find it interesting.   Probably more than you want to know about Sharp, but there it is!

There’s this road I discovered  a couple years ago during one of my wanderings.  It hadn’t been on my radar because it was in Travis County, but I’m finding out it also stretches into East Williamson County.  The few residences there actually  have a Coupland address.    It’s a pleasant road any time of year, but this winter light we’ve been experiencing recently has really made it stand out more.   Look closely at the opening photo.  In the far distance at left you’ll see a number of construction cranes.   That’s where the Samsung Semiconductor plant is being built.   I’d have preferred if Samsung had chosen another site, but it’s there to stay, expected to open in 2024.   The agricultural nomenclature of the Blackland Prairie is transforming.   We’ll see what transpires, but I’m already missing the landscape.

Something tossed together tonight.   A few more birds.   I enjoy seeing them.  The opening photo, a hawk, was seen today on my walk.   And a flock over Thrall.   Plus a Great Blue Heron enjoying a tree out in the boonies.  I really don’t like the power lines in that one, but to remove them is cheating.   

The quality of the early-morning and early-evening light  at this time of year is remarkable.   It was satisfying tonight as I wandered around the countryside  photographing windmills.   Yes, I take quite a few windmill photos.   While 99 percent of them aren’t really working anymore, they’re here, adorning  the Blackland Prairie landscape.   Three are presented here.   If I were to pick one to print it would be the opening image.  A quiet photo, it  gives one a sense of this land.  At least I think so.

Watching  tracks and trains is an occasional relaxing pastime.   I was glad to see Amtrak’s Texas Eagle arrive and department Taylor on time this week.   The departure time coincides nicely with a golden few minutes.   It’s not really “golden hour” because good light doesn’t usually stay around that long.  It was enough this time. 

Just some fun stuff tonight, friends.   On my daily walks around Taylor I see a lot of bird activity, mostly at area parks on my route.   A few are presented here.   The fellow at the end of this post wasn’t in a park, just a Foghorn Leghorn type strutting around our neighborhood.  All are taken with my very light Olympus camera. 

While folks have their thoughts, I’m usually happy when daylight makes a hasty exit at this time of year.    These are from this evening at Taylor’s Murphy Park.  It’s where I go for rookery photos in spring and summer, but at other times of the year, too.  Just some night light, friends.  Tripods are handy.

A few times each year I make the short drive to Beyersville, Texas.   A few years back I visited the area to photograph a well-kept cemetery.   The cemetery remains beautiful, but so does the view beyond.   Development (so far) hasn’t affected the landscape.   As we progress, we would do well to hold onto some things.