A good portion of a productive Saturday was spent at Windsong Farm in Georgetown, site of the 30th Clayman Rodeo, an event created by Kelly and Jim Bob Clayman, two former rodeo champions.   Throughout the year, the Claymans instruct students, kids and adults, in equestrian skills far beyond rodeo skills.   This annual rodeo provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned.   You won’t find the more dangerous events here.  No bull riding, no bareback riding.   You will see barrel racing, roping and pole bending.    This rodeo is an early-fall highlight for me every October.    I’m posting quite a few photos here, with a few on social media, Facebook and Instagram, but more of the feature photos there. 

A photograph taken this morning over the San Gabriel River near Taylor, taken 32 minutes before dawn.   Because of a slow shutter speed, you may not be able to see it, but a bird is flying overhead.   Day’s beginnings can be magical.

Autumn skies tonight, all near Granger, Walburg and Bartlett, Texas.  The photos can speak for themselves.

“Jekyll & Hyde” opens tonight on the Springer Stage at the Georgetown Palace.   I post most of my theater photos on Facebook and Instagram, but include a few here of Cayden Couchman, wonderful in the dual roles of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.  The production is onstage through November 5th. 

As we anticipated rain Wednesday evening in Central Texas the cloud patterns gave us hope for relief.   The photos were taken perhaps 20-25 minutes apart, beginning with a nice row of grain elevators in Coupland,  cattle settled into a pasture nearby.   From there I traveled east, to Beyersville, where Texas longhorns commanded presence on their hill.   Early Thursday morning a gentle rain graced us with its presence.

Last night on the prairie, considering the approaching rain.

As daylight hours fade it’s nice to reconnect with my nighttime photography pursuits.   There’s an elegance to the quiet time after the sun’s rays have faded.   These photographs are from recent outings in downtown Taylor.

While not finding many first responders during National Night Out parties in Georgetown, it was   a good night at Stonehaven Apartments, the city’s public housing project, and San Jose Park, an event hosted by City Council member Amanda Parr.   One of the best quiet moments was at Stonehaven, where Orville, an 88-year-old resident, expressed his appreciation for the work the officer does.   Also there was Daniel, who says he’s been homeless most of his life.  From San Antonio, Daniel eventually hopes to make it to Dallas, but was welcomed to the party at Stonehaven while on his journey.   At San Jose Park, I did run into Koda, the fire department’s 6-year-old official mascot.  The YMCA of Georgetown provided peddle carts, a popular attraction for the kids.

Daily walks are good for the heart.   And light falling on plant life is good for the soul.   Just some photographs from recent strolls in Taylor  the past few days.  Just watching light. 

Dragonflies are remarkable creatures, but also great subjects for honing one’s focusing skills.  They’re tiny, with mostly transparent wings.   And they’re notoriously shy when you get too close.   A telephoto lens is really needed to capture their elegance.   These were taken at Georgetown’s Rivery Park this past weekend.   There’s a little pond here which is  very attractive to dragonflies.   I spent over an hour at the pond,  taking a whole bunch of fuzzy shots before sort of getting it right.   It’s interesting to note that one of Precision Camera’s classes,  on October 6th,  is about dragonfly photography,  led by photographer Kathy Adams Clark.   It takes place from 9-11a.m. at the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s Indian Grass Preserve, between Austin and Houston.