Here’s some photos taken recently around the rookery at Taylor’s Murphy Park. The level of springtime egret activity there is something to see. The busiest times are early mornings and late-afternoon into early-evening. The little egrets just beginning their life journeys are fuzzy and downright cute. I don’t like “cute,” but in this instance, I guess it fits.
By the time my Saturday assignments were done, I was one tired fellow, but Granger’s Lakefest celebration was most definitely worth the effort. Granger, a community of a little over 1400 in East Williamson County, Texas, has charm to spare. The highlight of the day was their parade, along West Davilla Street, the town’s Main thoroughfare. For your edification, here are a few photos from a busy, but productive day. That adorable dog, by the way? His name is Granger. These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.
Taylor, Texas is known for its ducks. On this Mother’s Day, I visited Murphy Park tonight with the intention of watching the rookery, but babies and their mama took precedence. 
This horse is one I’ve grown to know a little better in recent weeks, a creature with elegance, but the swiftness of youth. She (he) lives a little north of Granger, sharing a pasture with a darker beauty. They live on a stretch of road where traffic takes a back door to serenity. I do hope it remains so, for I do love the peaceful roads here on the prairie. 
Once again this week, I snapped a few photos with my inexpensive phone during those daily walks. The biggest issue I have with them is their inability to zoom in on the activity. That, if anything, may necessitate the move to a good point-and-shoot camera. We’ll have to see. These were all taken in Taylor.
This post doesn’t need much information, does it? At certain days of the day, when night skies roll in, blue takes over, at least for a while. This is, of course, in East Williamson County, Texas. This land, this sky, they resonate. Always.
A few months after arriving at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, I found myself and my cameras at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in search of features in February 1981. After a short while, I happened on a father giving his little boy a skating lesson. Today, in addition to those knee pads, they’d have on helmets, too, but remember this was 37 years ago, friends. Different times. These kind of slice-of-life things were likely what got me hired in Atlanta, but even then it was a struggle to get the assignment editors to just let me go wander. The culture at the time was such that photographers would sit around the office, awaiting their assignments. Thankfully, they finally saw the value of just cutting me loose! These bits of everyday life are what makes photojournalism important in my world, not the big events. Hopefully, they mean something to you, the reader.
Tonight, as I drove to Taylor’s Murphy Park, the plan was to read a little and watch the egrets at the rookery. When getting out of the car with my gear, however, I noticed a young couple dressed in their graduation caps and gowns, getting their photos made for invitations. Plans changed. The couple are Granger senior April Martinez, 18, and her boyfriend of two years, Taylor High senior Shawnpail Fields, 17. The photographer was April’s mom, Mary Martinez. It was fun to watch the session. Both graduates will be able to attend each other’s graduations. Shawnpail’s is May 25th, April’s is the next day. These were some nice teens, and a very cordial mom who didn’t mind an old fellow giving her some photo tips. 
While wandering around looking for photos in March, I saw bluebonnets on a hill in Circleville, but didn’t realize they were in a very old cemetery. Thankfully, the grass wasn’t too high so I wandered around there a few minutes. Last night, I stopped by there again. The bluebonnets are gone, but the cemetery is now covered with yellow wildflowers, different but still as beautiful. The tough part, however, was getting the nerve to go anywhere near there. The weeds have made their presence known. With the weeds, and high grass, you’re also apt to get reptilian creatures I’d rather not encounter. So I didn’t wander too far last night. Call me a coward, but while I loathe rattlesnakes, I respect their territory. Still, I managed to get a good scene. For reference, I’m posting a March photo, too. And a closer version of last night’s venture. 
050718 CIRCLEVILLE,
This is a road that I like quite a lot. On different evenings recently, I looked at it from two different perspectives. The windmill is the same in both. I have nothing to add, other than I love these wonderful spaces.
