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.

This photo, like the previous post, was taken early Sunday morning, but didn’t fit the water theme.   I pass this old house in Taylor often.   When we moved here in 2009, it already looked abandoned.   During growing season, it often gets surrounded by tall corn stalks.  The field is cleared now, providing a fuller view.   The morning light, barely past sunrise, added a soothing warmth.   I know nothing about this house.  Was it a farmhouse?   I’ve always thought it looked like a beach house from an earlier and simpler time.  The road where the house sits  will be widened in the near future.  It rests close to the current road.    One wonders if it will be here after the widening?   I think it’s a really neat structure, wish it could be saved.

An assignment in Georgetown this morning  took me by misty scenes a bit after sunrise.   The opening photo is a sweet pond I sometimes drive by near Taylor.  During the harsh daylight hours, it’s not so much, but it’s enthralling at certain times of day.   The other two photos were from the San Gabriel River.   A few hours later, as I headed east to Taylor, there wasn’t much to see, but a few minutes after sunrise?   Mighty fine, friends.  Is there a favorite image?  For me it’s the last one. 

The egrets that come to Taylor’s Murphy Park are mostly gone for the season, but a few remain.   The smaller cattle egrets, of course, are always around.   Like clockwork every year, when the larger egrets vacate the rookery, cormorants take their place.  Cormorants are pretty nifty birds, too, with properties of ducks and egrets.  New to me are the ibis, birds with long skinny bills.  This is the first year I’ve seen them here.    Mentioned many times before, but I like this park no matter the time of year.   The moon’s presence is nice, too.   Last evening it was in a Waxing Gibbous phase, just over 80% visibility.   As the last light faded, the skies filled with some amazing color.  And then it was gone.  

On the way to an errand this morning about 7:30, I saw a man, loaded with a backpack and Desert Storm flag as he walked at a brisk pace through Taylor.   This is Gulf War veteran John Mumby, 50,  who served  in the U.S. Army Infantry during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.   Three weeks ago, he began walking from Winnsboro with Austin as his goal, a 300-mile trek.  He’s been steady, averaging 15-20 miles a day.  His walk has purpose, calling attention to the mental and physical effects of Gulf War Syndrome, something that’s impacted his own life.   After taking a few photos, I wished him well.   He doesn’t have far to go.  

I had a doctor’s appointment a few minutes past dawn this week in Georgetown.   It was a cloudy morning as I took a few photos around the town square at what would’ve been sunrise if one was apparent.  It was not.   Included: a tree I like, plus two versions of the Williamson County Courthouse, here since 1911.   Some folks are at work pretty early.  The lights on the buildings around the square are here throughout the year. 

All that remains of Taylor’s Murphy Street Christian Church rests on a secluded hill at  5th and Murphy Streets.   I have no idea how long it’s been like this.  I discovered it while on a bike ride, probably in 2010.  This evening I stopped for a closer look.  The cornerstone attached tells us the church was built in 1901.   Internet searches don’t tell much about when the rest of the church was taken down.  You won’t see this unless seeking it out.   It’s a fascinating little bit of Taylor’s past.  I’d love to see an old photo showing the church in its heyday.  Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous moon was nice to see, too.