It’s a mesquite tree that continues to inspire.   A trip to this friend’s ranch last evening was meant to find a couple of elusive horses, but that tree,  fronted by some fine-looking grasses and good skies won out this time.   The horses did make an appearance, but that’s for another post.

For a dozen years there was hope of encountering a Bald Eagle in the wild, a frustrating endeavor.  Near day’s end today, , however, one of these wonderful creatures came into view a little north of Hutto.  Thankfully, a few photos were taken before she moseyed on.

Corn harvests are always wonderful to document.   The Raesz family in our area has been a delight every year.   This season, brothers Shaun and Steven Raesz are in the midst of harvesting 4,000 acres across East Williamson County, Texas.   Steven says it will likely take about three weeks.  They took over farming duties a few years ago when their father, Arnold Raesz retired.   Shaun is 51, Steven, 49.   A number of helpers lend a hand, including Shaun’s two sons, Montgomery, 26, and Maverick, 23.   Steven’s longtime girlfriend, Kate, is a volleyball coach and teacher in Granger ISD, but most years she’s right there by Steven’s side.   The post opens with a photo of Kari Raesz, Shaun’s wife, holding their 16-month-old  granddaughter, Maizlee, daughter of Montgomery and his wife Madalynn.  These photographs were taken during two outings with the family.   It’s neat to see them gather around each evening, having supper breaks in the fields.   Shaun had knee replacement surgeries this spring, one in March, a second in April.  But he’s out there working.   Our landscape is changing as development continues.   Hopefully, motorists will be patient as they guide their combines and tractors from one field to another.

Along a well-liked road north of Granger on a rainy  Sunday evening.   A little snippet of the Blackland Prairie, friends.   Trying to keep an overabundance of words to a minimum, allowing the photographs to do the work.

Photographs from strolls this week in Taylor.  Way too many, of course.   No need for more words.  If you just started following this stuff you’ll figure it out.  Therapy.

A few photographs taken today during Market Days, held  on the second Saturday of the month on the square in Georgetown.  The post opens with  an early-morning shot of the sun peeking through a layer of clouds over the historic Williamson County Courthouse, opened in 1911.  In use for years, the offices once here have moved to a  new administration building a few miles east of here.   The old courthouse will continue to anchor the town square.   Lots of sweet dogs were here today.  And a lady performing a fine rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In early-January, at the start of the year we took one of our Sunday drives through communities in Milam  and Falls Counties.   They’ve not been posted, but thought you might be interested.  The winter skies were crisp and wonderful.  Included are three photographs from Rosebud, in Falls County, two from Ben Arnold, in Milam County and Cameron, also in Milam County.   Rosebud is a little over 1300, Ben Arnold about 117 and Cameron, the county seat is a little over 5,000.   Small towns are inspiring.

Longhorns are elegant beings, but more so in the right setting, at the right time of day.  This was  near  Beyersville, in Southeast Williamson County.  Thankfully, development moves at a slower pace there.   So far.

From a recent outing at the rookery in Taylor’s Murphy Park.  It never disappoints.

Only this one tonight, friends.   A pond not far from Coupland, but actually in Travis County, Texas.   If you follow a precise name, it might be considered a tank, but not on this page.   It’s a pond.   Words matter.  Language matters.   If  something is a self-portrait, it is never a “selfie.”  What an awful word.