The pandemic has cancelled many things this year.   One of those is the the annual Lighting of the Square in Georgetown, Texas.   The square would be adorned with lights, but without a formal event, potentially attracting quite a crowd.   The lights quietly came on Monday night.   These photos were made this evening.  Persevere, friends.  

This is technically an autumn color post, but let’s start with one that’s close to black-and-white, but is indeed color.   Posts in and around Taylor’s parks will often include water, ducks and cypress trees.   These are scenes recorded in Murphy Park.    I’m still exploring autumn while it’s here.  Why the heck not?

Each year since returning to Texas I’ve been enchanted by the crisp green light adorning the dome of the historic Williamson County Courthouse when the holiday season approaches, but seeing the lighted dome from a distance has been a photo I wanted to make.  Last night, a friend suggested a location for that idea.   It was a grand suggestion.   The opening photo is the dome as seen from the town square.    The second photo was taken tonight.   I think it works.  The last photo has nothing to do with the courthouse, just a flag.  The light cooperated.  

Since our return to Texas in summer 2009, I’ve taken photos in and around Prince of Peace Lutheran Church quite a few times.   The church rests on a gentle slope of land in Wuthrich Hill.   These are a few from time spent there Friday night.   It’s one of the nicest places on the Blackland Prairie.  

Lately we’ve been taking weekend drives when time allows.   After driving around a couple of western Williamson County communities, I thought it might be a good time to visit Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown.   It’s  part of a beautiful section of the San Gabriel River Trail system that goes for miles.   My hope was to find some autumn splashes of color before the leaves ran their course for this year.   There were subtle hints of it on my  late-afternoon  stroll.  The last rays of light falling on rock surfaces were also sweet.   A cyclist passing on the trail made sure to mention the vultures up ahead.   Would I have trouble spotting them?   He thought not.   As the trees become more skeletal, the birds have room to spread their wings and roost.    While there’s still color to see, I’ll seek it out.  Birds, too.

Just a collection of unrelated images tonight, friends.   The post begins with a barn I occasionally enjoy photographing.   And a windmill that’s been documented a few times.   Not far from here a windmill photographed many times is no more.   I’m told it  was run over by a tractor.   The owners chose to take it on down.   Finally, a Waxing Crescent moon shining above an empty section of a football stadium in Georgetown.   I took the photo last night while covering a marching band competition.   Although there were a few people in the stands, it wasn’t a bit crowded.   

Some friends recently invited me to visit a farm that’s been in the family for many years.   It rests on 125 acres of Blackland Prairie soil a little west of Granger.   A couple years ago, a new friend asked what I meant by “Blackland Prairie?”    I suppose you have to spend enough time around here to get the meaning.   The soil is rich and dark.   Almost black.  Thus the name.   At any rate, my friend, now in his mid-60s, remembers climbing the old-growth trees, playing in Possum Creek, watching trains cross above that creek on a sturdy trestle.   These are just some impressions of that evening visit.  Remnants of  times past are all around.   A 1946 Chevy truck.  A combine.    The railroad bridge, long dormant, but still crossing the creek.   The creek is now dry, thanks to recent drought conditions.   We need some rain.   Before we left, my friend asked if I’d like to see some old family photos.   Among them were  well cared-for tintypes, some dating  to 1902.   I wish I’d have thought to copy a couple for this post.   This land is hallowed ground for many around here.   Although I didn’t grow up here, I get what they feel.   Next time, I’ll take a closeup photo of the soil.   

While on the hunt tonight, I happened on this scene along Bull Branch Creek in Taylor.  At first I concentrated on reflections, but soon began to focus on the family connection.  Hopefully, you understand what I saw.  Let’s leave it at that.

The colors this fall have been particularly vibrant.   I found some pleasant scenes on this recent visit to Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Plus a Great Blue Heron focused on finding a meal in the park’s waters.   A Great Egret briefly perched atop a tree as light began to fade, transforming this color scene into a monotone.  

Earlier this week, I was asked to take photos of homecoming festivities for Georgetown High School.   It’s probably been nine years since I’ve set foot on a high school football field with cameras.  After three concussions, all sustained at high school football games, I opted out, but this was halftime activities related to homecoming.   Arriving a little before kickoff, the urge to make photos was too much.   So included here are the homecoming king and queen in the opening photo, but a little bit more, too.  Note that the king and queen are both marching band members, also boyfriend and girlfriend.  I’ll admit to loving the culture surrounding prep football games.   There’s no need to put myself in harm’s way again anytime soon, but it was a fun night.   Even better for Georgetown, who beat Leander High 63-42.