Mostly, I’ve just been gathering photographs from walks for the entire week, but perhaps that’s too many.  If you post too much,  folks might have a tendency to grow weary.    This group has twelve shots from around Taylor, including a crested caracara, also known as a Mexican eagle.  A member of falcon family, they’ve been moving north from Mexico for a few years.    Perhaps it might be preferable to post stuff as I go along, not waiting until week’s end?   Just thinking, friends.   I’m still a Nikon guy, but sure enjoy toting that feather-light Olympus on these strolls!   There’s a lot of birds here, plus one furry creature who fancies himself a bird.   Squirrels are the animal world’s gymnasts.

A few years ago someone mentioned an old roadhouse in Milam County I might find interesting.    Indeed it was, but that road was also a treasure.   I wandered out there a little ahead of sunset on Friday.   The late-day winter light pulled me right in.  The roadhouse is included here, but the sun’s rays were really the inspiration for this post.   The Sinclair gas pump indicated a per gallon price of around 26 cents a gallon.  That was a long time ago.

It’s 27 degrees at a little after 10p.m. tonight in Taylor, temperature dropping a little more before morning.   This photograph of Ernie was taken in downtown Taylor  a little before 7p.m., the temperature in the mid-30s.   Ernie, a  veteran in his mid-70s, is holding on as best he can.  A group here is reaching out to the area’s unhoused.  I hope they can help  Ernie.

Another simple and straightforward post tonight.   Just some trees.   Trees in Central Texas evolve into the next phase of their lives when the winter months come.   This offering begins with a couple framed by trees at Granger Lake as they embark on a fishing expedition there, followed by a lone tree under a collection of clouds.  And the last one, a blue evening photograph at a dear friend’s farm.    Again, just trees.

Each year, when the warm weather vegetation goes away, I’m surprised when this hand shack continues to stand in Taylor.   You might recall a post a few months ago, where I peeked inside it to see a lone high chair.  This is from Thursday afternoon, when rain and mist nicely cleaned up the background.  A hand shack, also called a pickers shack, was at one time a place to stay for seasonal farm workers.   A few of these dwellings remain on the Blackland Prairie, but this is one I notice.   For those unfamiliar with the phrase “Blackland Prairie” please note the dark soil.

Temperatures were in the 30s throughout the day, with rain arriving in the early-afternoon.   The rain continues tonight, into Friday morning.   Tomorrow night we dip down into the 20s.   These are from Georgetown areas this afternoon, including a woman walking her dog by the river at San Gabriel Park, a couple of misty photographs around the pond at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, concluding with a visit to the square tonight, where holiday lights were reflected on the very wet streets.   The rain-covered statue is Dan Moody, a Taylor native who served as governor from 1927-1931.  

Power lines aren’t always bad.  Sometimes they enhance a scene.   This is one I like, taken this week along a very peaceful and quiet country road close to Taylor.  Night was taking hold as this motorist drove under a fading western sky.   The cold tonality of the car’s headlights seemed to provide an interesting contrast to the surrounding warm colors.   I just like the feeling of serenity.

Texas Longhorns are majestic creatures, even when they’re little ones beginning to make their way in the world.   Note the horns starting to sprout.    Something seen this afternoon a little east of Taylor.

You often pass by a scene, but you move along, not inclined to take a photograph.   This evening, however, the skies over this place  just west of Taylor merited a photo.   A Blackland Prairie moment, friends.

Evening temperatures here are in the mid-20s, frigid weather for this area of Central Texas.    Most of us find refuge in our homes, but not everyone is able to do so.   Consider the homeless (unhoused) population in your area.   A warming shelter was made available last night at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.   The space was made possible by the church, with assistance from First Methodist Church, Helping Hands of Georgetown and Navigation Services, a group that helps people find the services they need.  The lady in red, Michelle Augustine, is Navigation Services founder, also a member of this Fellowship.   Presented are photographs taken last evening.   Conditions are not expected to improve for a while.   For now, the shelter will be open and available through at least Thursday morning, but perhaps longer if needed.   When documenting people in this environment I ask if it’s okay to take a photograph before proceeding.   If they’re not good with that, I move on.   On my daily walks in Taylor, miles east of here, I’ve seen a lady at a city park, huddled under the roof of a bandstand area, accompanied by her black dog.   It’s easy to see they’re bonded, but finding refuge is hard for them.   Circumstances are challenging for many.