This has been the best autumn I’ve seen since we moved back to Texas in 2009.   All photos presented tonight were taken on recent walks in Taylor, including St. James Episcopal Church, plus a kind of funky last one, trees reflected in the shiny rear door of an 18-wheeler’s cab.   Along for the walks was that small Olympus camera I’ve been using for a year.   The camera was purchased used after my cataract surgeon mentioned I’d need to lighten my load for a few weeks.   Although I returned to my Nikons, I’ve made the Olympus a part of every walk.   Recent walks have been a little slower because I keep stopping to record the season.   The leaves are starting to go now, but it’s been a neat autumn.  

I don’t think the star is placed atop these Circleville grain elevators every year, but did see it shining again this week.    It’s simple, direct and seasonal. 

Last night I was busy with livestock show work, but I would’ve been at Granger’s official Christmas tree lighting if not.   This is a photo taken this evening.  Granger, Texas is one of the most elegant little towns anywhere in Central Texas.  

On Thursday I spent a final few hours at the Williamson County Livestock Show held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.  These were taken during the steer competition.   The participants take these events quite seriously.   For the families, it’s often the culmination of months of hard work.   I’ll post far more than you might want to view, but there’s always a lot to see at these shows.

There’s a category called Future Feeders at the Williamson County Livestock Show.  As the name suggests, it’s designed specifically for very young participants, possibly with a future interest in farming or ranching.    Arriving Wednesday afternoon at the Williamson County Expo Center I couldn’t help but notice two adorable identical twins, 6, joined by their friend, 7.    The girls were entering the competition arena to show some pigs.   Guiding them through the process were older livestock show attendees with plenty of showmanship themselves.  They helped the little folks stay on track.    I had a hard time telling the twins apart, but mom and grandparents were happy to help!   Normally, photos of people staring into the camera’s lens is pesky, but not this time.   Kudos to Future Feeders.

It seems like we get an overabundance of cloud cover on nights when a full moon is expected.   The moon finally broke through the clouds tonight, long enough to get it hovering behind a star atop the City of Taylor’s Christmas tree at Heritage Square Park.  I was glad to see it for a while.

A continuation of the Williamson County Livestock Show.   Today’s event was the Breeding Swine Show, to be followed on Wednesday by the Market Swine Show.   We’re talking about pigs, my friends.   The post opens with three photos of  a 10-year-old, Coy,  who won a Junior Showmanship award while showing his pig named Olly.    He’s given praise by his mom, also his grandfather.  I sense the bond with grandpa.  The others are a bit of this and that from the show.  

The Williamson County Livestock Show is underway at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, Texas this week.   I’m stopping by for occasional photos.   The livestock show showcases the hard work of youngsters involved in F.F.A. and 4-H programs.    For this post there’s a few teens, but also little folks just beginning to learn.   I’ll probably post some more before week’s end.

A scene observed early this morning at Bull Branch Park, not long after the notion of a sunrise. Warm and cool tonalities working together at the misty beginning of a day in Taylor.

Another road (so far) where I’m able to get out of the car, stretch my legs and sometimes make a photo.  This was true when I wandered along a quiet road near Granger.    A little time to admire those golden grasses flowing on the roadside.   And and a resilient old tree.  The landscape is changing, sooner than some of us would like.