As we say goodbye to Daylight Saving Time in most states, here are some photos taken this evening as the sun began to fade into the night over the San Gabriel River at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas. The photos can speak for themselves. Daylight Saving Time, however, is not an occurrence I like. Thank goodness we’re putting it aside for a few months to let the good light come through sooner. My opinion, of course. 
Granted, I’m a hoarder to some extent, but prefer to hold onto old photographs. When we returned to Texas ten years ago we downsized to a much smaller home, but prints going back to 1972 made the trip. Most are in sturdy and protective containers, but a few just float about, like these stacked under my desk. I did, however, find the early-morning light on them to be kind of intriguing. 
It’s another post where a theme might not be apparent, but if you follow these wanderings, you’ll know the theme is straightforward: documenting what’s around our Blackland Prairie while still possible. The opening photo, yet another windmill, was taken well into the blue period past sundown on a little road south of Granger, Texas. If your device is adequate, note the barn in the distance at left. The second photo is a long-abandoned homesite along a now-busy road close to Circleville. A few years ago I photographed this house, but a friend who’d not seen that image mentioned the house. So this is for Joyce. The rural nomenclature of our land is changing. Developers see farmland as prime real estate for subdivisions and shopping centers. I do not. While many photos I present could be thought of as “pretty,” the message is more than that. 
It’s always a blast hanging out on Main Street in Old Town Georgetown on Halloween night. The families along a two-block portion just south of the downtown square are always welcoming to trick-or-treaters. And even photographers! These are a few taken tonight during this year’s fun. 
This seemed like a good choice for a morning post today, a striking bit of art on a wall in downtown Taylor, Texas. I think this is very cool. Artistic expression, friends. 
The past couple of days in Central Texas have been cloudy and cold, with occasional drops of rainy mist. The conditions were just right for making photos that, though taken in color, were essentially monotones, probably aided by the fact that all were made at day’s end. While I like color photography, lessening tonalities can clarify and simplify. That’s just fine. 
There’s this area on the San Gabriel River a little north of Taylor, a little south of Granger, Dickerson’s River Bottom, where I try to make a few photos a couple of times a year. Fishermen like it a lot, too. During past visits, I’ve met anglers coming from two hours away. to try their luck. To get to it you have to do a little hike through some dense forest and steep hills, but it’s there. During my stop there a couple of days ago, some of the trails were covered in trees and limbs that had been cut down, making my usual route nearly impossible. Rather than give up, I found another way to go. This is an area known to be frequented by snakes. I was very watchful, thankful no critters reared their heads. This view from a bluff was a nice reward, late-afternoon light spilling on the water, the woods quite dark. The photo is color, but pretty close to black-and-white. The view made the trek worthwhile. 
The 2019 World Series continues this week, the Houston Astros taking on the Washington Nationals. The series continues in Houston on Tuesday. The Astros, beginning as the Colt 45 many years ago, are giving maximum effort, as are the Nationals. But it all begins in places like Thorndale, Texas, where these photos were made tonight during a 9-Under little league practice on a field adjacent to the town’s high school. Thorndale, in Milam County, is a community of close to 1400. “The Rookie,” a 2002 movie starring Dennis Quaid, was partially filmed here. Some of the baseball field scenes were on the field directly behind this one. Before the majors, there are fields like this one. It starts here. Kids learning. Dads and moms supporting. 
This little series of photos were taken a couple of evenings ago on the lake at Taylor’s Murphy Park. The rookery’s egret population has scaled back until next Spring, but the lake remains a nice place to observe other avian wonders. Great Blue Herons aren’t seen in large numbers like the egrets, but they’re here from time to time. This heron was foraging for an evening meal in the lake. Hopefully, she found sustenance. She’s a pretty girl. 
On Friday night I photographed the annual Adults With Disabilities Dance, sponsored by Georgetown Parks & Recreation. The couple in the first two images are indeed a couple. I remember seeing them here last year, more bonded than ever now. The event, held at the Georgetown Community Center at San Gabriel Park, was Halloween-themed. This inspiring event is held for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. I look forward to covering it each year for my friends at the Williamson County Sun. 
