You’ve heard me say this before, but the quality of light here on this Blackland Prairie area in Central Texas is exceptional and, this is most important, it’s serene. When witnessing such things, I’m bowled over almost every time. It never gets old. These scenes taken last evening are from a field a little east of Granger, Texas. Our light here is a blessed balm.
How about something simple for this Monday night? During the many years we lived in metro-Atlanta, I yearned to find dirt roads. There was one I visited there whenever I could. We’ve been gone almost ten years. I wonder if it’s still there? In this part of Texas, we’re fortunate to have a few of these rural routes around, like this nice route discovered on an evening filled with some good monotone clouds. And cows. There’s always cows.
While covering car and vintage plane shows is fun, Saturday’s coverage of the 8th Annual Stephanie Nichols Vintage Car and Plane Show at the Georgetown Airport was even more of a blast when I met Austin’s Matthew Magruder as he toted his 1930s-era Kodak Master View camera around to create tintype photos using a wet plate collodion process very much like famed Civil War photographer Matthew Brady used in the 1860s. Even more interesting, photography is a serious hobby for Magruder, but during his regular work days, he’s a licensed psychologist. For a look at his work, and to learn about his psychology practice, visit his website here.
It was never my intention to document the last years of my area of the Blackland Prairie. Not at all. After living in crowded metro-Atlanta for many years, the land, water and skies, the grain elevators, churches, barns, old houses, windmills, etc. were just there. They inspired a fellow who was happy to be able to see sunrises and sunsets without interference. And clean, unpolluted skies. Now, after almost ten years back in God’s country, development is encroaching. While I understand the the need to move to places more affordable, there’s a yearning for things to stay as they are, like these scenes taken tonight near Beyersville.
A few years ago, I saw New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church for the first time. It was on a drive from Taylor to Austin, along F.M. 973. To my left, in the far distance, a few miles north of Manor, an incredibly-beautiful steeple stood out against the Texas sky. Since then, I’ve returned there for photos several times. This set was taken at the beginning of this week, when the moon, in a Waxing Gibbous phase, was close to full. After spending quality time photographing the church, I headed west, back to the main road. Attracting my attention, however, was the burial ground for the church. Although I’ve driven past it a number of times, this was the first time I noticed the flag. Is the light on the flag something new? I can only guess that it is, but the sight was inspiring. I do love photographing flags. Two photos from that stop are included at the end of this post. By the time the last image was made, the ambient light in the western sky had begun to diminish. It was a nice end to a pretty evening.
Not long after moving home almost ten years ago, I taking an evening drive through Norman’s Crossing when I saw kids in uniforms playing baseball under the lights. Behind them were fields ready for planting. And some beautiful grain elevators. It was an incredible sight, but I chose not to bother the players and coaches. Then, a couple of years ago, Dr. Dana Boehm became our family veterinarian. Her clinic is adjacent to the field. After a while, I decided to do a story on Dr. Dana’s brother, Troy, a longtime farmer here. Troy’s two sons, like their dad, were serious baseball players. The problem was there weren’t enough places to play. So in 2007 and 2009, Troy built this field, adding lights and all. Last night, as I wandered, the field’s lights in the far distance caught my eye. This time I stopped and made a few photos. The boys are in a 13-14 year-old league. This was a practice night. Baseball has always been a wonderful, truly American sport. As a kid growing up in Northeast Texas, I was always too small for football. Baseball, however, was welcoming. Physical limitations didn’t count. The field in this post speaks volumes about a wonderful pastime, made more wonderful played in a place like this. Troy built a field. And the players came.
This is one of those wandering posts where I just offer up some recent photos I sort of like. The opening photo was taken a few days ago in East Williamson County, as was the second image. The last photo was made tonight, as a Waxing Gibbous moon, almost full at 98% visibility, shined a little light on a sweet old barn in Travis County, Texas, a wee bit north of Manor. This and that, friends.
Georgetown’s Bark Park is just a wonderful place to spend some time with your favorite pooch. Each visit there I find folks who come all the way from Austin to enjoy its beauty. These photos were taken Saturday as a way to let area residents know the park will be closed February 18-22 while Georgetown Parks & Recreation take care of some needed renovations. One fellow who will miss going is a tree-climbing fellow called Stevie Ray Dog. That guy is amazing! Others included here are an English Bulldog, Stella, her little friend Chico, a 6-month-old French Bulldog, Dutchess, a beautiful Rottweiler and Gus, a Husky/Shepherd mix with some fantastic blue eyes. These were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
