January’s good winter light was on full display as I wandered around Southeast Williamson County, Texas last evening.    Recent snow remains had mostly dried up, making this road a good one to traverse again.    My county is growing fast.  It’s nice to find a few quiet country roads.  

Recently, I made one of my occasional Sunday drives to Llano, a community of around 3300 (according to the 2010 census) nestled in the Texas Hill Country about 65 miles northwest of Austin.  According to the city’s website, Llano was founded in 1855, becoming the county seat the following year.   Among the highlights of this short visit was seeing the Llano River.    The town’s name means a “treeless grassy plain” although I saw quite a few nice trees.   The town is  well-known as the Deer Capital of Texas, attracting hunters from all over in November and December.   I like the deer head carved out of a tree!    Additionally, I like seeing the Llano News, going strong since 1889.   Reflected in the newspaper’s front window is the Llano County Courthouse, opening in 1893.   It’s survived fires in 1932 and 1952.    Since the courthouse was closed, I took a photo through one of the doors.   It looks elegant.    The Lan-Tex Theater has a place on the. town square.   I’m not sure how the pandemic has affected their business, but the  marquis did list an upcoming musical act.     Included here are a couple door closeups, a weathered-looking one at a downtown business.   The other door, is a detail of Llano’s Grace Episcopal Church, holding services since 1888-1889.   The vertical photo through a window was taken at what was once the Llano County Jail, built in 1895, now serving as a museum.    I like the C.S. Lewis quote on the city’s sign, too.   Good messaging, Llano.

While I know most of the roads in our area of the prairie, sometimes it’s fun to just venture down one not familiar.   One of those came along tonight  that took me into a lovely part of North Williamson County, a little north of Weir, where the first three photos were made.  The post begins with the sunset, but only because that’s the type of image that gets the attention.  The two photos that follow were taken scant minutes before sunset on the same road.   Good evening light was in abundance.    The last. photo tonight took me south of Weir, past a grain elevator I’ve seen for year, but haven’t bothered with it much because of the dang power lines. The skies behind it, however, caused a change of heart, power lines or not.   Just a night of exploration along the Blackland Prairie, friends.

The snow plowed through East Williamson County, Texas like a freight train on Sunday.   Tonight, it’s melting at a rapid clip.    Some friends had more than 5 inches in their yards.   I’m guessing that’s mostly gone by now.   The opening photo was taken last night at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park, a quiet place.  I was the only soul wandering around.  The other photos were made this evening, all east of Granger.  The snow is mostly history now, but we’ll remember the “blizzard” of 2021.   Have I mentioned I don’t like snow?    Each to his/her own. 

It was rainy and cold at dawn this morning in Central Texas, but weather forecasters predicted snow.  It started around mid-morning. continuing throughout the day.  Photos presented here were taken today in Georgetown, but also Taylor and Jonah.  Some are photojournalism, others pictorials.  I do a little of both.

Only since returning to Texas have I developed an affection for photographing trees.   Here are three made yesterday and this evening.   Friday’s late-day light was phenomenal, very warm and inviting, represented here by the first two images.   The last photo was made this evening as clouds begin to form near nightfall, very gray, but no less interesting.    They’re saying we might get a dusting of snow on Sunday in Central Texas.     We’ll see what happens.

Some photos made this evening near Christ Lutheran Church in Noack, Texas.  The church came to fruition in 1891, comprised of German settlers.  The current church has been here since 1916.   The opening photo gives a sense of the rural character of the area.  The rest are a tip of the hat to wonderful Texas sunsets.

The first photo is from Beyersville, a scene I’ve photographed several times over the years.   Beyersville, in Southeast Williamson County, is one of my favorite areas to wander.   The second photo was taken tonight in downtown Granger.   With all that’s happening this week, I like the message.   Hopefully, it’s not a pipe dream.

After all that’s happened on this turbulent day,  tonight I did what I usually do, took a drive around the Blackland Prairie, observing the majesty of the day’s final light.     Some scenes from East Williamson County, Texas.   My therapy.

From Southeast Williamson County, Texas last evening.   Ideally, a bird would’ve wandered through the frame in the two minutes the sky did its dance, but no birds were to be seen.   If I were okay with “photoshopping” a bird  into the photo, then I’d a photo, right?   No.  I’d have something not based in the reality of the moment.   We see a lot of that on social media, don’t we?   So this image pays respect to warm skies anchored by delicate clouds.   Just that.