These are some photos taken recently on some of our soothing county roads in my little slice of Texas.   With this post you’ll see stock ponds, or tanks, plus an unnamed creek coursing through the land.   What you’ll also see, in the last photo, is a pooka.   Consider this a teachable moment, friends.   Do some research, learn about the pooka.  When I took the photo, I didn’t see it.  That may tell you something.    While you’re at it, find, and watch, “Harvey,”  starring Mr. Jimmy Stewart.  

Let’s meander a little east of Taylor, but not too far.  A short drive on U.S. Highway 79 and you’re in Thrall, Texas, population around 900.   These images aren’t tied together by anything other than geography.   The opening photo continues a fascination with railroad tracks.   Those rails run east-west through the heart of town.  Next to the tracks are what appear to be cotton storage bins, or perhaps an old gin.   It makes sense to have the crop close to the tracks.   The others?  Well, there’s Krieg Brothers Chevrolet, on Main Street.   I’m pretty sure it’s been closed for a while.   Then just a few snaps around town, including Thrall United Methodist Church, the Thrall Volunteer Fire Department headquarters, a decrepit old building on Main Street.   My favorite, however, is from the town’s Tiger Stadium, where the Thrall junior varsity team was taking on the squad from Rosebud, Texas.    A few years ago, I covered a high school game here for the Austin American-Statesman.   I determined to go back for a look at the stadium at some point.   It’s so very small-town Texas.   The few short minutes I was there, I met some nice people in the stands.  We’re blessed with many nice people. 

These are a few photos taken while wandering around downtown Fort Worth, Texas in the summer of 1973, when I was on a summer internship at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.   Good old Tri-X film, folks.  

This fall, while seeking out new subject matter for my lenses, I started noticing, and appreciating the beauty of prairie grass.   If you pause to consider for a moment, you come to the same conclusion that I did …. it’s a weed.   But think about this, friends.   Most of our Texas wildflowers, the bluebonnet among them, are from that family of invasive plants that dot our landscape.    During the day, when light is harsh and unforgiving, that grass really is pesky-looking.   Viewed at the beginning, or end, of a day, however, it transforms, relishing in the sun’s kiss on its surface.   Beauty is where you find it, friends.

These are some photos I took last evening at Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Yep, once again another visit to the rookery.   The images were taken with a new (well, almost new) camera so what you see here is getting to know the gear.  There are some details I have to work out, but for the most part, I think the camera will be fine.  That little slice of moon in the final photo is a Waxing Crescent phase.    As for the birds, you’re seeing a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, and, of course, some ducks.   “Staying dry?” you might ask.   If you recall, yours truly took a tumble in the San Gabriel River recently, sinking a camera in the process.   I love water, but my little tools do not.

While I’ve already photographed the unloading of pumpkins at two Georgetown churches,  it seemed like a good idea to visit with some shoppers. My destination was First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, where there was plenty of Saturday afternoon fun.   All the photos presented are suitable for publication in the Williamson County Sun, but I particularly like two:  the father, shopping with his one-month-old daughter for her first Halloween, and the little princess, making adjustments to her tiara.    This is a fundraiser, folks.  They’re not running out anytime soon because. 1500 more pumpkins were scheduled to arrive from Northern New Mexico this afternoon.  

En route back home from an Austin American-Statesman assignment this evening near Elgin, I decided to take a different route home to Taylor.  Alas, the road I thought was right?  Well, it wasn’t.  So I really did wander …. somewhat aimlessly.  Finally, remembering the dang smart phone and Google maps, I figured things out.  Along the way, I took some photos.  If you were to ask me where this is, I couldn’t say. Truly, yours truly was lost.   Anyway, this one’s got a lot of digital noise, due in part to a long shutter speed, high ISO and an older camera.  If you recall, my main camera sunk last week in the San Gabriel River.   But now that I look at this image, it grows on me.   There’s a warmth here. 

Tonight the Georgetown Palace Theater opens its new season with “Annie,” running weekends through November 26 on the Springer Memorial Stage.  I’m post a few here from last night’s dress rehearsal, but you’ll find more on my Facebook page.   

On the way to an assignment in Georgetown this evening, I stopped a few minutes to watch the sun begin its descent near this East Williamson County, Texas pasture.    I’ll leave it at that, friends.

Perhaps I’m into the grain elevator and shiny rail tracks tonight.   At any rate, these are all close to home, right here in Taylor, Texas.  The grain elevators are all from Williamson County Grain.   The tracks?  Well, they lead into (and out of) our lovely little community.   Until I get my main camera replaced, I’m using the backup camera, plus one that’s not been used in a long while.   That’s okay though … I’m liking the old one, too.