Just two photos tonight, from the area east of Granger, one I like to explore.   The first image was near sunset, the sun peeking through a long-abandoned farmhouse. The other photo, taken about 40 minutes later is a farmer making his way home.  Remember to be kind to our farmers, friends.

It’s been a while since my last visit to Thorndale, Texas, a community of a little over 1400 about 13 miles east of our home in Taylor.   It’s mostly in Milam County, but apparently a tiny portion is in Williamson County, home to Taylor.  It was founded three miles west of here in 1878, but moved to its current location two years later.   As the days grow shorter, once again I have the opportunity to delve into night photography.   The small towns in our area are perfect for that treatment if you have a good tripod and aren’t afraid to use it.   Much of the first half of “The Rookie,” a 2002 film starring Dennis Quaid, was filmed here.  The baseball field in the movie is still in use, but not in this post.   These are just some downtown images.

A leftover from the last evening of the Williamson County Fair & Rodeo, at the Expo Center in Taylor.   I was sitting in a long line of traffic waiting to get in when a vibrant rainbow appeared.  The line to get into the fair was too much for me.   I drove on.   Crowds are a bother.  Rainbows, not so much.   Note a hint of the midway at lower left.

On Saturday, the closing day of the Williamson County Fair and Rodeo, I spent most of my time watching kids from around the state show off their sheep and goats.   It was wonderful to see.   Growing up in Texarkana, I  remember livestock being an integral part of our annual Four States Fair and Rodeo.    The number of very young children at Saturday’s competition was impressive.   Among the youngest was a red-headed 4-year-old from Troy, Texas, who showed his entry named “Sweet Girl.”  Like the other entrants, he was in his element.  Moms and dads were extremely supportive.   One young teen, who was showing three lambs, held up his fingers, asking this pesky photographer to give him some space.  I only shot that one frame.  A few minutes later, he was happy and good to go!    Our new county fair pays homage to the agricultural roots here.    As growth continues to dominate, it’s good to hold onto those things.

How about a few rodeo photos tonight?    Friday evening I attended the first rodeo night at the  Williamson County Fair and Rodeo, held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.   Most of the images included here are self-explanatory.   I’m always impressed with the work these young cowboys and cowgirls put in, like in the opening photo, where a saddle bronc rider loosened everything up before his time in the arena.  His moves were not unlike ones seen with serious dancers.   The final photo was one taken a few minutes before heading home.   I liked seeing that moon again this week.   The rodeo and fair conclude tonight.   

From a recent evening in downtown Granger, Texas.   Included in the photo: Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, S.P.J.S.T. Hall.   Just a quiet interlude before moseying out for the evening.

Just a few photos taken this evening on the first night of the Williamson County Fair & Rodeo, being held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.   The rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday, but I do love a good midway at night!

Last night’s moon was closest to a full moon we’ll get.   This evening we’re in the the Waning Gibbous phase, 99.9% visibility.    I’ve heard this month’s full moon called a Hunter’s Moon.   Let’s just call this a Cormorant Moon.   From tonight at Taylor’s Murphy Park.

It’s a windmill I’ve photographed dozens of times, but always from one point of view.   I’d wanted to take photos of the rising full moon, but needed to point the camera to the east.   To accomplish that, I needed to be on someone’s property, something I prefer not do without permission.   About 30 minutes ahead of moonrise, I was able to connect with with the gentleman who lived there, who generously gave permission.  Because I like to give a sense of place, the opening photo is my favorite.  The middle image gives you that “big moon” idea.   The last photo was taken from my usual point of view, but the skies looked magnificent in the west, too.    Of all the windmills I’ve photographed, this may be my favorite.

Call it what you want.  It can be a Harvest Moon, Tiger Moon, Dog Moon, or whatever.   It’s the moon, friends, beautiful in all its iterations.  Tonight it’s a Waxing Gibbous moon, 97.2% visibility.   This one’s over a field east of town, with a little blue night light, too.