Three photos of tonight’s full moon in Williamson County, Texas.   The first two were taken at Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown.   The opening photo gives you that “big moon” many seem to like, but the second one provides context.   The structure at left was at one time the caretakers home when this park was a working farm.   The house will apparently come down soon.   I regret that.   The the last photo is St. Peter Lutheran Church in Walburg.   I was glad to see the moon find its way into a scene at this beautiful church.  

Hawks are notoriously anti-social birds.   Since I also tend that way, it makes perfect sense.   You’d be amazed at the number of hawks I see in a given day.  They’re usually perched on power lines, or in faraway trees.  And I’m usually driving, with vehicles close behind.   When actually able to pull over, I’ll grab a camera and go to work.  Unless they’re very focused on  a particular critter, they most often fly far away.  These are some  photos taken since mid-November.   Some of my most successful captures were taken with my small Olympus during daily walks in Taylor.   That very last one, taken on a walk,  has a bunch of movement in it.  Not planned movement, mind you.   The hawk was finishing off the remains of a chicken when I saw him in a very dark spot under a tree.   He made a very fast exit.   Don’t ask me to identify any of these birds.  I’m just calling them hawks.   Camera-shy hawks. 

A little of this and that tonight, friends, beginning with a Waxing Gibbous moon (94.6% visibility) over a windmill not far from  Georgetown.   And horses basking in late-afternoon light near Jonah.   When photographing daffodils tonight, an interesting creature joined us.   Is it a hummingbird, a moth, or what?   It was quite focused.   I wish it were a bit sharper.

This winter light can be challenging if you’re photographing people, but it’s pretty nice in a landscape/pictorial setting.  Three photos this evening, opening with one taken of the San Gabriel River as it flows through Jonah tonight.   The others are just photos I like.

Another barn photograph tonight, friends.   Or at least it’s a scene including barns.   This beautiful site is perhaps just over a mile from our Taylor home.

This is an old homesite recently photographed close to Noack, Texas.   You could label it a barn photo since there’s the barn at left.   During the warmer months this site is covered with brush and overgrown trees, making it hard to see, but it’s visible come winter.   I’m wondering, however, what you like?   As an old guy who began a career devoted to black-and-white, I’m partial to the simple monotone treatment.  The color version, however, gives the viewer a more readable  look at the rusted metal roofs and wood.    Either might be acceptable.   A longtime photographer friend once told me if you give folks a choice, they’ll mostly choose color.   Something to consider.

We live in an area hammered by persistent drought.   When I see water gathered in fields, it’s a given I’ll stop for a photograph.   We’re gifted with an abundance of recent rain in Central Texas.      Overcoming the dry spell will take a lot more, but every little bit helps.  If you look closely at the last one, there’s even a barn!

This little mesquite tree at a friend’s ranch in Circleville has been through a lot over the years, but its resilient character continues to shine through.   I’ve documented it in color a few times, but recent clouds seemed to favor a black and white version.

Tonight’s offering continues my exploration of barns, this one a collection of photos of a friend’s barn in North Williamson County.    This dear friend allows me to wander around his picturesque farm, a gesture most appreciated.    Some barn posts will just include one photo, but the light on this particular evening was elegant.   I stayed a little longer.

It’s no secret that I’m enamored with light that opens up my senses near day’s end, or well after  the sun disappears for the day.     We’re quickly approaching March 10th, when Daylight Saving Time (or Daylight Savings Time) settles in until early-November.   Many, if not most, embrace the change.   Consider that as winter months fade, the days get already get longer.   This artificial change isn’t natural.    For me, it’s the beginning of warm months, followed by boiling hot months, keeping the sun hanging in the sky well past its time.   But as usual, I’m being selfish.   Enjoy the light you enjoy, even if it’s ugly.  These don’t need much background: blades on a windmill, lights on the Georgetown square, birds in flight over Taylor.