The San Gabriel River View

We're starting out today - and finishing up with the River (at least for now) - on the North bank of the San Gabriel where Texas 29 crosses the River between Georgetown and Jonah. It's December 1st, about 3 pm, though it seems later. I don't remember the switch from daylight savings time to standard time taking so much time. Another sign I'm getting old?

The crowd on the low-water crossing has cleared out - except for the ducks. But I'll have to walk over there to get closer to them. This was shot looking due South from the clearing next to the Hwy 29 bridge.

On the low bridge on the North bank looking South. From the road I'd thought that green was Duck Weed, but up close, looking down on it, I don't know what it is. It doesn't smell, like a tidal marsh, so it's just a green detail thus far.

Out on the low bridge a bit farther, looking downstream. The left bank (on the left) and the right bank (on the right).

This is about mid-way across, looking North up the San Gabriel at about half the ducks that had been here feeding and the Texas 29 bridge. The left bank (now on the right) and the right bank (now on the left.

A perfect Fall day.

Not Quite Ready to Leave the Park

I'm afraid I got a little ahead of myself yesterday, ready to move on down river. Instead, let me continue with a few more images from the San Gabriel River Park in Georgetown. . . then move on downstream.

As I started to leave the Park, I noticed a low, concrete foot bridge across the river just below the dam. I parked, and took a stroll across with camera in hand. With no really "grand views", I started shooting details. . . whatever might make a good photograph. Like cool, clear water over a limestone river bed.

I did look up occasionally though. I wondered what these plants were called that reminded me of cattails, but clearly were not. A cursory review of Google images provided two possibilities: Pampas Grass and, the one I decided on as my interest in the problem waned, the Common Reed (Phragmites Australis). You learn something new every day. . . but remember, what you learn isn't necessarily correct.

When I turned away from the reeds to shoot back towards the Park, I focused immediately on that item center-frame that appeared to be escaping in the stream. The first thing that flashed in my mind was a big snapping turtle (I had just seen Cool Hand Luke last week), then, a gator? Those thoughts moved through pretty quick, then I realized whatever it was hadn't moved. . . Rock.

I got back in my car to follow the river East, looking around from where I sat. Do you notice anything peculiar about the College Street bridge in the picture above? When was the last time you saw a city bridge supported by Gothic arches? I told you, Georgetown is at least a step above the others.

Okay, now we've followed the river east into the rural farmlands off Texas 29 between Georgetown and  Jonah. If you've got your fishing pole and some bait you may want to turn off onto County Road 100 and make your way beneath the bridge on the North bank of the San Gabriel. Plenty of shade and a pleasant place to spend an hour or two.

The low bridge I crossed (we call 'em "low-water crossings") to get over here beneath the Texas 29 bridge, was temporarily occupied by a fisherman (parked right there on the crossing) and a father with two young boys who were feeding bread to the several ducks that were loath to pass up such an opportunity. After shooting here for a few minutes, the knot of people on the low-water crossing had cleared out and I could take a short hike over there and see what I could find. But you'll have to wait for tomorrow's post.

Exploring Greater Austin - Georgetown's San Gabriel River Park

As in yesterday's post, I spent most of December 1st on an inspection tour of watercourses to the North of my usual haunts. After Brushy Creek, I headed to Georgetown to see what I could see along the San Gabriel River.

I didn't need to go any farther than the San Gabriel River Park on the north side of town. I shouldn't be surprised that Georgetown would have such a lovely park; everything I've ever heard about this place has been positive. 

Towns all through central Texas tout their history, but by my lights Georgetown has foot up on the others by emphasizing its assets better than most - the architecture in their downtown Historic District, and their geography.

It took this to be a large park on the River's north bank with concentrations of baseball/softball fields on the edge away from the River but, when I zoomed out on Google Maps, I saw the South side, just opposite, had even more ball fields, and soccer fields as well. I don't know whether both banks actually share the Park's name or not.

But I'm here to make photographs, so the baseball and soccer fields aren't my draw. And this isn't one of the wilderness areas you know I appreciate. I just think whoever designed this park was at the top of his game and well supported by the people of Georgetown. And, of course, you can't beat perfect weather.

 I was jazzed the day I shot here. In and out of the car at smaller parks along Brushy Creek and wandering farther from the car than has been typical for me; now here on the San Gabriel, I was just starting to run out of steam. It was still fine, but getting warmer and I took some time to just stake out some space on a park bench appreciate my surroundings.

I didn't put down my camera though. Each of these last three pictures was taken from said bench. And after my surcease, I checked out a few more likely places I'd identified along the river so there are a few more pictures for a post tomorrow.

Exploring Greater Austin - Brushy Creek

I'm always looking for new places in and around Austin to shoot and typically I find them somewhere around the Hill Country's Colorado River or Lake Travis. It's not hard to figure out - I look for places that include water. This time though, I looked north - away from the River and east - away from L Travis. Who woulda thunk it?

Just over 4 mi north (of my cave), Brushy Creek flows West to East and eventually joins with the San Gabriel River almost 50 mi from here, more than half-way to Hearne. As it turns out, there are several small parks along the Creek as it moves slowly through various Round Rock neighborhoods. Each has its strong point, but Champion Park wins in my book for "Accessible Wilderness".

Each of these pictures was shot in one small corner of Champion Park where a spur of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail crosses a bridge to the south side of the Creek.

This bridge is one of those places I'll return to, checking out how the light at different times of the day changes the nature of this handsome greenbelt.

It's definitely a natural area, and has more water flowing by - however slowly - than most of the creeks I've found around here. That's enough to give it the prize.

Though these images don't show it, I managed to find Round Rock's titular icon - THE Round Rock - on this expedition. The state historical marker says the table shaped "Round Rock" marked the ford across Brushy Creek for Indians and early pioneers on what would become the Chisholm Trail.