While the rookery is an active place, I spend a fair amount of time observing the flight and behavior of the area’s migratory birds in Taylor’s Murphy Park.   Just minutes from home, it’s a relaxing destination when driving around the prairie gets tiresome.   When arriving at the rookery, I unfold my chair, sit down with two cameras and absorb the peace.  Behind me, a youth baseball game is in play.  To my left, young fly fishermen try their luck.  I’m just focused on birds.   Last summer’s extreme drought and heat played havoc with these birds.   Hopefully, this August will be kinder.

Some deer portraits tonight, friends.   Mostly, deer will skedaddle when a human invades their space, but sometimes they stop and stare.   The phrase “deer in the headlights” comes to mind. Two sites are included here, places where hunting isn’t allowed.

A sunset view east of Granger, Texas tonight, friends.  The truck is traveling along a dirt road, kicking up a layer of dust, enhanced by the day’s final rays.

“Cats,” opening tonight at the Georgetown Palace, is non-stop fun to see.   These photographs were taken during Thursday night’s dress rehearsal.   More photos can be seen on my Facebook page, also Instagram (@andybobsharp).   I photographed this wonderful musical about eleven years ago.   It was great to see it again.   Some of my photos will appear in the Williamson County Sun.

Three photos taken Wednesday evening are presented here, all taken east of Taylor.   The Saharan dust has once again provided us some interesting haze, but probably not a good fit for folks with respiratory issues.   The setting sun manages to shine a little over a field of unharvested corn.   Milo is alive with vibrance.    And that old bit of farm equipment has rested under that tree for years.   I like seeing it there.   The agrarian landscape is evolving.  Hopefully, people will remember how the Blackland Prairie looked.

More barns tonight, friends.  Two are probably  living their last days, but a third, adorned with red poppies, looks ready to keep going for many more years.   All were seen in North Williamson County, Texas.

Kittens at the Library has become such a popular event that the host, the Georgetown Public Library, moved it to a larger room.   The Georgetown Animal Shelter brought 35 kittens to the library this year.   I’m glad to report that every kitten was adopted.   Adoptions were a great deal at $35, the price including spaying or neutering, chipping and help with needed vaccinations.  It was a heartwarming day for all of us.

A return to familiar territory tonight, a sunset east of Weir, Texas.   Nothing more to add.

A photo from my long road trip home tonight.  This field in far Eastern Milam County, Texas always gets my attention.  The clouds hovering overhead are an added gift.    It’s time to rest, friends.   Many miles traveled this week.

A few quick snapshots taken last evening in Atlanta, Texas, the only Atlanta I knew when growing up in Northeast Texas in the 50s and 60s.   My father was raised here.   This Atlanta was founded in 1872.   When daddy was born the population was around 5,000 people.   It’s not much more than that today.  There are several Atlanta’s around the country.   This is the one I remember.   On the road again, just a quick post.