It’s along the lines of something posted earlier this year, but it’s fascinating to see a small bird watching over and defending her space, even when a persistent hawk comes along.  Seen this week in the Wuthrich Hill area.    The natural world is amazing.  

The first time I saw this a few years ago it was from quite a distance, but it really stood out.   The scene is in Circleville, along Texas 95.   The light on the star changes color continually.  It’s just  one of the ways folks in farm and ranch country celebrate the season.   There’s a bit of residual noise in the photo, but I’ve yet to embrace the tools of artificial intelligence.   It is what it is.  Peaceful.

In recent weeks I’ve made the short drive visit Jim Huntington’s majestic Huntington Sculpture Garden in Coupland.  Not long after returning to Texas in 2009, one of my wanderings led me to Coupland, where I first saw Jim’s work.   Mentioned before, but I was just gobsmacked!   Since then, I’ve written about Jim’s work.   We’ve become friends.   Jim will be 84 in January.   He’s produced many of his massive stone and metal sculptures through the years.   The passage of time has curtailed his sculpture work, but he’s returned to drawing to keep the creative juices flowing.   This weekend a post by Coupland artist and craftsman Wells Mason prompted this offering.   Wells and Tristan Ahlquist are working on a documentary about Jim, to be ready next year.   These photographs begins with tonight’s visit, the rain coming down just a bit, a cool blue  feel.   The first five are from this evening.   The others were taken two weeks ago, late-day light warm and inviting.   Jim is included in a couple.   It’s nice to hear Jim’s work is being recognized with a documentary.   He’s an amazing person.  

Back in September, when working on photographs at the  Waterloo Cotton Gin, it was nice spend a few minutes snapping photos of Manuel, 3-years-old.   Manuel’s father works at the gin during harvest time.   His mama usually comes along with Manuel.   I was initially taken in by the  little guy’s expressive eyes and ready smile.   After the photos, it occurred that Manuel was communicating to the camera  with his hands.   His mama, you see, is deaf.   He and his mom talk via sign language.   What Manuel was saying is a mystery since I don’t know sign language, but he’s an enchanting little boy.    People often grow up to become angry, not kind.   I’m wagering Manuel will continue to promote joy.   

Perhaps you’ve figured this out, but windmills are among my favorite subjects.   I hadn’t planned one tonight, but this one looked mighty fine next to a vibrant Texas sky.   No apologies this time, friends.   I do what I do.

Tonight’s full moon, a Beaver Moon, finds its way into the skies over Granger, Texas tonight.   The scenes are from Granger, Texas, beginning with Holy Cross Cemetery, followed by an elegant barn.   The post concludes with two views of a windmill.  

A few of the things that got my attention during daily walks in Taylor this week.   For now, all were made with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera equipped with a Lumix 45-150mm lens.  The first four photos were taken quite early.   The quality of light at the beginning of an autumn day is nice.

The moon, at nearly 99% visibility tonight, was climbing into the sky above a little pond and tree I’ve admired for years.   As many times as I’ve been by, not once have I seen a cow.   This isn’t a tank, friends.  It’s a pond.

Bartlett, Texas, like Granger, its neighbor just south of here, is adorned with cobblestone brick streets downtown.   Those streets get a lot of pounding now, but they’re still holding on.   Cobblestone streets are best seen at night, when town lights and headlights really make them stand out.  Bartlett, with a little over 1600 residents, is in both Williamson and Bell Counties, about 50 miles northeast of Austin.    Recently, when I posted something from Granger, a Bartlett resident mentioned the Red and White Grocery and Meat Market.   It was so busy on the evening these photos were taken, I couldn’t see the store because of all the cars in front.   Just before leaving, however,  the parking area was briefly empty, allowing a nice look inside this neat store.   Bartlett residents are fortunate to have such a fine hometown grocer!

Autumn around here is seldom vibrant, but at the right time of day trees can embrace warm light.   The San Gabriel River is presented here.   If you look closely, there’s a heron doing a bit of  fishing at lower left.   The lower resolution photos offered here and on social media don’t have a lot of impact, but we do what we can.