The quality of light after rain moves through our area is inspiring.  These photos were taken late this afternoon, into the early evening.  Corn stalks seem to glow.  And full disclosure:  I am enamored with vultures.   They know how to survive.  

When the rapid expansion in East Williamson County gets overwhelming, I sometimes venture into other counties.   Our neighbor to the east is Milam County.   While also experiencing rapid growth, I can still find things to document.   These are from a few evenings ago in the Apache Pass and San Gabriel areas.   A large barn is home to a pretty large hog.   Another barn begins to crumble.   Cornfields continue to draw me in.   As do cows.    That’s it for tonight, friends.

The impeccable sunset was photographed Monday evening along one of those newly-discovered country roads near Granger.   When I pulled into my driveway tonight, the Waxing Crescent moon, at 9.6% visibility, looked okay peeking in and out of the clouds.    The moonset was about three hours away.

I often see friends post excellent photos of hawks, but these birds of prey, while beautiful and powerful, are often elusive.   When seeing them, they’re usually perched high up on a utility pole, or wire.   Even though there’s a camera sitting in the passenger seat, by the time I stop to get a shot, they make a quick exit.    My wife and I were returning home Sunday afternoon when spotting this one, resting comfortably on a fence post west of Taylor.   My cameras were with me, but way out of reach.   When we got home, I got into my old car and drove back to that spot, about 15 minutes away, assuming she would be long gone.   To my astonishment, she was still there!   Click.  Click. Click.   This session lasted about two minutes before she (he) decided the photo opportunity was done.   My knowledge of hawks is limited.   There are 18 species of hawks in Texas.   Just a guess, but this one is either  a Swainson’s Hawk, or a Red-Tailed Hawk.  Birders, feel free to correct me.  

Three sunset photos from the Blackland Prairie tonight.  The opening photo was taken last night a few miles east of Taylor.   The person in that truck probably thought me daft for stepping out of the car in the middle of the road.  The other two photos were taken a little south of Bartlett.    That last one is a dirt road I’ve wanted to photograph for a while.  It worked out this time.

Last year when I covered the Williamson Museum’s Pioneer Days at the Old Settlers Association site in Round Rock, the bottom dropped out before it ended.   It stormed a whole lot.   En route from Taylor this morning, my windshield wipers were getting a workout.   By the time I pulled into the Old Settlers parking lot, however, the rain had stopped.  And stayed that way, but it sure was humid!   Anyway, a few photos from the event, one I always love.  Several structures onsite date to the mid-1850s.   The Old Settlers Association (and the museum) are on the same page when it comes to preservation.   Among the guests this year were members of the the Buffalo Soldiers, Company A, 9th Cavalry.   And blacksmiths from Balcones Forge Blacksmiths.   Demonstrating traditional Native American dances were members of Great Promise for American Indians, an Austin non-profit that will host the Austin Powwow on November 12th.    And let’s not forget the pygmy goats.

No themed post tonight,  just some things I saw this week.   The horse photo was taken on a drive into the far reaches of East Williamson County.    I really like that old tree.  It has presence.   The other two photos were both taken with that little Olympus during daily walks in Taylor.   Those kittens were having a grand time!  Watching things, observing light. 

Sometimes I have a destination in mind, but mostly it’s just wandering.   This outing led me a few miles south, around the village of Coupland.   The road in the first photo, both paved and dirt, is a pleasant drive.  The Indian Blanket wildflowers were photographed along that road.   Another road I like is just west of town, winding around the St. Peter’s Church of Coupland cemetery.  I’ve photographed it a couple times before, but it never gets old.  

Texas Longhorns are among my favorite subjects.   Through the years, some Taylor friends have allowed me to photograph theirs.   Taking photos of the adults is rewarding, but when there’s a new addition to the family, it’s really special.    In the opening photo, meet Trixie, a six-week-old daughter of Rocky (left) and Lacey.   This is by far my favorite image, but a few others are offered.   The strong horizontal silhouette includes other longhorns, but I like the shot.   So there.    Thanks again to Deby and Mike for letting me share their bovine family members

Some photos taken last night, areas around Granger.   It was a day with occasional bits of heavy rain, followed by cloud cover.   Still not enough moisture for what we need.   When I first headed out, the clouds were pretty dark, as seen in the last photo.   The other two are views of the same scene, taken about 20 minutes apart.  Note the crops in every photo.   After all, it is farm country.  It’s interesting to watch light evolve.