Three barns are presented tonight, with two versions of the first one. These are all in North Williamson County, Texas, a little north of Walburg. The first and second photos are of a barn photographed quite a lot. It marks the entrance to a Texas Century Farm, a farm that has been in the same family for over 100 years. I’ve photographed the farm, too, but this post is just barns. The other two are a couple of barns with immense character. 
Just something leftover from about three weeks ago that didn’t make the cut at the
time. This is a place I pass by often, but the light wasn’t right. Those gentle rays enveloped the landscape this time. Or at least I think so.
A continuation of those daily walk photos, these from the past few days in Taylor, Texas. Mentioned before, but photos made during the walks are, as an old boss used to say “quick and dirty.” Subjects with good light most always catch my eye. For now, these walk photos are made with my little Olympus mirrorless camera, as light as a phone. The last photo includes a bee. Apparently it’s World Bee Day. 
Most of us photographers spend copious amounts of time taking photos of the same areas. Maybe we see something different on new visits, or perhaps not, but it’s always worth the time spent there. Thorndale, Texas, about twenty minutes east of our Taylor home, is among those places. The latest census figures I can find (2022) indicate the town’s population is at 1344 souls. Thorndale is a town mostly in Milam County, but with a snippet in Williamson. When it was founded in 1878 it was three miles west, all the way into Williamson County. The town moved to its current location in 1880. “The Rookie,” a 2002 movie starring Dennis Quaid, was partially filmed here (and in Taylor, too). Presented tonight are photographs taken a few evenings ago. 
It was early when I arrived in Georgetown today, there to look for heat-related photos. While I got those shots, the golden light that greeted me at Blue Hole Park was divine. It’s the first time I’ve seen the waterfall at that time of day. The glow coming off that water was inspiring. The drought and lack of rain last year decimated the waterfall, but it’s grand right now. While there I also spotted some herons canvassing the water for an early meal. The glow at day’s beginning made the early start worthwhile. 
Even though May isn’t finished with us, we’re experiencing temperatures into the 90s in Central Texas. Summer begins sooner here. Calendars are fallible. With that in mind I snapped some photos around Georgetown today, including Blue Hole Park, plus the splash pad at San Jose Park. Both are places you can go without being charged an entry fee. I like that. The fellow wearing the very large straw hat was a Parks and Recreation staffer enjoying a shady lunch break. I like that hat!
Just a few photos taken while rambling across my area the past few days. I’m seeing a lot of corn and wheat, but some of the cotton is beginning to grow. Let’s hope the cotton season is better this year. 
A leftover photo from that bit of dirt road wandering in Milam County, Texas this week. A quiet road, with time to see life unfold. 
We got a boatload of heavy rain this afternoon in Central Texas. I know some folks who sustained damage to their property as a result, but things seem to be settling down this evening. As I often do, after the storm moved through I took a drive into the countryside. There was a lot of water in most places, but Beyersville was my last stop before going home. There’s probably not one specific place that speaks to why this area is so special, but this site, one photographed many times, might come close. Look closely in the lower left and you’ll find a collection of large construction cranes. That’s the site for Taylor’s Samsung Semiconductor plant under construction. Where I’m taking the photo is perhaps ten miles away from there. 
When we moved to Taylor in 2009 we were looking for a quiet place, a town where you could bike, run, or walk just about anywhere you needed to go. That wasn’t possible in our previous home, metro-Atlanta. I’ll admit to some positive factors with Samsung’s presence, but share the concern of some that the area’s character will change forever. Some of it will be good, but I am cautiously optimistic. Unchecked growth has its drawbacks.
On Wednesday the Williamson County Parks Department let us know that Berry Springs Park & Preserve will be closed for approximately three weeks beginning Monday, May 20th, time to allow some park road projects and other additions, including an extension of the trail under County Road 152. On Wednesday evening I spent a little time at the park. When getting into my car, however, I noticed a young man getting photographed by his big sister to commemorate his upcoming graduation from Georgetown’s East View High School, whose commencement is May 25th. Photographer friends who love this park might want to visit before Monday! It’s a great park, filled with old-growth pecan trees. 