A simple livestock post tonight, friends.  Donkeys and friends share a pasture north of Rice’s Crossing.  It’s an area with rural character, but perhaps not much longer.

These photos were taken at the rookery in Taylor’s Murphy Park in late-June, a few days before the city’s July 4th fireworks show.   The fireworks panicked a number of the egrets, causing them to fly  into a  transformer, knocking out power in the area for a few hours.   Since moving here in summer 2009, I’ve spent quite a bit of time documenting these migratory birds, a federally-protected species.   Locals, craving their fireworks, weren’t happy.    Honestly?   I don’t like fireworks shows at all.   They disturb any number of animals.   Why every city in our area felt compelled to conduct fireworks shows in the middle of extreme drought is beyond me.    Now is not the time.   As for the birds, they may be a nuisance to some, but I find them enchanting.

Circumstances don’t often allow an opportunity for sunrise photos, but I take advantage when possible.   Presented are two slight variations of the same scene, just east of Taylor.   A farmhouse once stood under those trees.   It’s still a nice setting.

There’s been a lot of talk about the decision by Samsung to build their gigantic chip factory in Taylor.    Most of our city leaders seem to be fully on board with it, as are many of the town’s citizens.    I’ve been on the fence, but have concerns.   This post begins with Immanuel Lutheran Church, an historic church along County Road 401.    I’ve photographed this church for years.  Just over the hill, along the same small road, construction cranes abound.    When you get away from the actual site, you’ll still see evidence of farmland, as seen in the last photo.  The change in the landscape aside, there’s the impact the plant will have on Taylor.   Prices of homes here are skyrocketing.   The house we bought in 2009 has nearly tripled in value.   Along with that, our taxes and insurance are on steroids.    When we moved here,  the city of a bit over 15,000 was dominated by many living tenuous lives,  nearing poverty.   Today, if they own homes, what impact will increased taxes and insurance have?   Will they be impacted by gentrification?   I’m thinking back to East Austin in the early-1970s, when I was a student at University of Texas.   Back then, it was a working class neighborhood.   If you visit there today, you’ll see the effects of gentrification.  Many longtime residents have been priced out of that community.   Consider Samsung.    What will be the outcome?   Things change.  I accept that, but progress isn’t always kind.

While not fond of the mid-day light, I was compelled to stop for a photo of this ancient church a  few miles west of Nacogdoches, Texas.    This was during a recent road trip.

We’re in the midst of a very hot spell.  Adding insult to injury, it’s also very dry.   You might sense that from the dusty scene along an unpaved road.  The road dust hovers over the nearby field.   Some, like the young fellow shown this afternoon, found some relief from triple digit temperatures at Georgetown’s Blue Hole Lagoon.     Stay hydrated, stay cool.

If you look around our area, you’ll see thousands of acres of corn.   Some farmers have begun to harvest theirs, others will certainly be right behind them.   When it’s gone, start looking for cotton.   It’s on its way.

Can you sense the heat emanating off this road?   It was well after 8p.m. last night, the temperature still in the upper 90s.   Crazy hot heat.

It’s just another horse photo, but combined with some trees, and late-day light, I kind of like it.  Another scene from east of Granger, Texas.

Some photos taken throughout the morning and afternoon at July 4th celebrations in Georgetown, Texas.   The first three photos were taken at an Old Town Community Parade in Georgetown’s historic district.   I’ve never seen a cat willing to ride in bike basket, but there it is.   The majority offered here were at the Sertoma Club’s 4th celebration held at San Gabriel Park.     I won’t bog you down with a lot of words tonight.  Yes, it was hot.   And no, I’m not doing fireworks photos.   This is quite enough.   And it shows people, not pyrotechnics.