Although I met Tom Cavness last month at the Georgetown Photography Festival (and made a few photos of him) it was a  weekend surprise to see the Georgetown-based  photographer working at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park.    For quite some time, Cavness has been honing his skill at  photography’s  wet plate collodion process.   You can  find out more on the web, but the technique was invented in 1851 by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer.  The process adding  soluble iodide to a solution of collodion (cellulose nitrate), then coating a glass plate with the mixture.  The plate is coated, sensitized, exposed and developed in about fifteen minutes, producing a negative image on transparent glass.  Cavness was taking self-portraits at the park,  with 15-20 second exposures.   His camera of choice was 8×10 format, a 1933 Burke and James, equipped this time with a circa 1875 Albion lens.  His work can be seen here.   In the 21st Century, photographers work fast and loose, but it’s really neat to someone like Tom getting in touch with the old processes.

It was still a little misty this morning when I made photos at the City of Taylor’s Easter Egg Hunt held at Heritage Square Park, but moisture didn’t get in the way of the fun.   There were some actual bunny rabbits on hand for visitors to see!   By mid-afternoon I was at Georgetown Church of the Nazarene for their annual egg hunt.  In addition to Easter eggs, kids could get their photos made with a giant Easter Bunny and a vintage 1970  Volkswagon bus, owned by a church member.   An added bonus at the church was a beautiful field of wildflowers where kids could relax and check out the goodies.   The first four photos are from Taylor, the rest from Georgetown.   Happy Easter, friends.

A few years ago I took some photos of this roadside shrine, seen in front of a planted field in Taylor.   The interior wasn’t lighted then, but it was tonight as I drove by a few minutes after sunset.    On Good Friday it glowed.   According to what I found on Wikipedia, a Wayside Shrine is a religious image, usually in some sort of small shelter, placed by a path or roadway, often in the middle  of an empty stretch of country road.  Wayside shrines have been prevalent in Catholic and Orthodox Europe, also in Asian countries.   This area of Central Texas is home to many with European roots.   Seeing this tonight reinforces that.

We’ve been having a good deal of rain the past two days in Taylor.   It’s raining as this is written, with temperatures in the low-50s.  I think it feels grand.    On my daily walks, I usually see other walkers, runners and cyclists, but the only beings in motion were birds, like the mama duck trolling through choppy water at Murphy Park.  It’s been years since taking photos of the neighborhood shrine, but misty conditions made it really stand out.   Even with rain gear and a large umbrella, the rain found me and my camera. Seldom will you see me without a camera.

Another leftover photo taken well before sunrise a few days ago.   Since we’ve been getting much-needed rain the past few days, I thought this might be worth offering.   It’s a pond I like to photograph when the mood is right.

My guess is this Texas Longhorn was stretching in order to get those pesky flies to mosey on.   Whatever the reason, it was an interesting few moments to observe!

When it was obvious I’d not be getting a full moon photograph on Wednesday evening, I was more than glad to see this often-documented view of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, resting atop a hill in Wuthrich Hill, northeast of Taylor.   I’ve photographed this church many times since 2009.   Unless we move out of the area, I’ll continue to capture its presence.

A full moon was hoped for this evening, but clouds put that notion to rest.  However, the collection of clouds over this barn and field in East Williamson County was just fine.    We need rain on the prairie.   If that means not seeing the moon, that’s okay.  

Stepping into the backyard just after 6a.m.  the full moon, nearing moonset, was glowing.  Since clouds and rain were forecast for the next few days, the lunar appearance  encouraged a drive around for a better venue.   Clouds and mist, however, quickly replaced moon glow.   Rather than waste an early outing, I made a few photos around Taylor, including the former First Presbyterian Church, soon to be a mixed use development, Talbot Commons, the Taylor rail yards, plus  a couple of downtown shop windows.   The post concludes with some food trailers near Old Taylor High, then one of Old Taylor High by itself.   You make do.  Always.

Look closely, you’ll actually see two barns in this scene east of Taylor.   The  early-evening light graces their metallic  facades so well.   The property has a For Sale sign attached.   I hope the new owners will hold onto what’s precious.