Raptors of any sort are among the hardest subjects to photograph.    Usually, when I see them, they skedaddle before a shot is ever taken, floating away into the distance.   This afternoon, however, some cooperative hawks stayed around for a short while, presenting an opportunity  to make a few frames.   What I’ve been seeking for several years is a photo of a bald eagle.   They’re obviously hiding in plain sight.   But hats off to these birds seen today.   Progress.

It’s a Waxing Crescent moon tonight, at 8% percent visibility.    Presented is something seen near Thrall, Texas tonight.    Look closely, friends.  The moon is tiny, but there.

Sometimes I just stumble onto interesting subjects.   A few years ago, driving past the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, I noticed quite a few horse trailers parked there, accompanied by men and women who are contemporaries.   Naturally curious, I stopped by to learn about the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association, a group that’s promoted the sport since 1978.   This group really doesn’t promote themselves, but they need to.   It’s comprised of rodeo athletes no younger than 40, but with many members well beyond that.   Thankfully, they  keep returning to Taylor every August for two days at the Expo Center.   The most senior member of the group participating this year was 89-years-young.   He’s pictured in the first two photographs.  As a friend mentioned this weekend, this is a quiet rodeo.   So true.  You won’t find bull riding, bareback riding, or any of the more intense events.   They focus on barrel racing, and roping events.   I love this group of folks, who hold onto pieces of their youth by continuing to participate in something that they love.  

The week’s walk photographs, all in Taylor.   The editor side of my brain says narrow down the choices.   Honestly, it’s why folks post just single photos rather than collections.   When you bombard the audience with too much, they tend to shut down.  I’m not sure if they still do it during football season, but the Austin American-Statesman would post more than a hundred shots from UT football games.   Even die-hard Longhorn fans are overwhelmed.    Anyway, sixteen dang photos tonight, friends, actually edited down from a whole lot more.

It’s a given I’m driving too many miles in search of interesting subjects.   With that in mind, a few photographs are offered from downtown Taylor this week, the town where we live.   Thankfully, days are getting shorter, bringing with them better light.   The post opens with wonderful light on a structure here since 1883.   Since we moved here in 2009 I’ve seen no evidence of habitation, but the structure is appealing.   Other shots include one of the windows of the Taylor Post Office, which opened in 1930.   Across the street from the post office is the I.O.O.F. Building, here since 1907.    A gent crosses 4th Street on his bike.   One shot is just a puddle of water, but the sky reflection caught my eye.   The post concludes with two versions of one of the benches along Main Street, reflecting lights, adorned by raindrops.   I’ve photographed these benches a few times, but really like seeing them at night.   Just stuff, friends.

During a period of rain yesterday afternoon this girl found comfort under the trees near Taylor.    She didn’t seem to like the camera’s attention though!

From Wednesday’s wanderings, a sunset near Noack’s Christ Lutheran Church.  It’s a church I’ve  documented many times.   One time it was to photograph the damage the church sustained after a tornado ripped through Southeast Williamson County.   Thankfully, all was restored.   The church is along F.M. 112, a road that leads to Lee County and the picturesque community of Lexington.  

Sort of a follow-up to last night’s post from Taylor’s rookery.   Driving from the Thrall/Noack area last evening a precision group flew over a county road, undoubtedly making their way to the rookery.

This collection of photographs from Taylor’s rookery were taken on Sunday evening, a day when  I didn’t have an opportunity to venture far from home.   Thankfully, Murphy Park is near our home.   These were taken in a few short minutes at day’s end.  The opening photo was actually the last one taken.    I only wish longtime residents appreciated this place a little more.   We’re fortunate to have this in our town.

Photographs of cotton crops taken this evening near Jonah after a snippet of rain moved through Central Texas.   It’s mostly a given I’ll post something almost daily, but today is World Photography Day.    Photography is significant in each of my days and nights.