Texas does sunsets really well.
But the treats of color also come when your back is to the sunset. That pastel sky is real and frequent around here.
This is looking east from Butler Park toward downtown toward the most recognizable section of Austin's high rises. The iconic Frost Bank building - The Owl with its spiky top - is peeking out. And the Austonian still dominates the skyline, for now.
A mother and daughter enjoy the warm winter twilight in the Liz Carpenter Splash Pad fountains.
Butler Park is a favorite spot for people watching because it attracts such a varied crowd. The fountain-splash area is a great family spot, and the Doug Sahm Hill offers spectacular city views and a romantic perch to watch the sun go down and the city lights come up.
Just east of Butler Park are the iconic Long Center plaza and Auditorium Shores. Both are always full of people on warm evenings: runners, loungers, dog walkers, and couples. And with Austin having just completed its warmest winter on record, the area is rarely empty.