A friend recently suggested I take a drive a little south of Beyersville if interested in not just lots of bluebonnets, but also many donkeys among them.  Since it involved a little extra driving, I was happy to find the place.   Thankfully,  I was able to spend a few minutes taking photos from a lightly-traveled county road.  Growing up in far Northeast Texas (Texarkana) I can’t remember ever seeing bluebonnets, but they seem to thrive in Central, West and North Texas.   A recent post also located some in Nacogdoches.  Something in the Texas soil seems to suit our state wildflower (weed).  I wonder if any Texans have tried to get them to grow in other areas of the country?

It was wet enough this morning to carry an umbrella rather than my walking stick.   I really think of the moisture as a gentle mist.   The umbrella was only used about half of the two-plus hour stroll through Taylor.   The duck friends were seen at Bull Branch Park.    One photo is a completely soaked outdoor basketball court surface at Murphy Park.  Perhaps a bit outlandish, but so is the person taking the photo.   Droplets on leaves were also at Murphy Park.   The expressive flower was one of several near St. James Episcopal Church.   Only Olympus photos on my walks, friends.   If I weren’t so entrenched in Nikon gear, at times I’d toss it all in favor of lighter stuff.   My Olympus was purchased used, not their top of the line offering, but it’s so easy to carry.   As I age, that matters.  

As Spring begins, how about some poppies?   These photos were actually taken Sunday evening in the Sunken Garden in Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.   It was a warm night, adorned with nice light.   Today, however, it’s rather cold.   Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival will be April 28-30 this year.   By then, the actual poppies will likely be gone.   One must strike while the iron is hot!  

A continuation of windmills.   Maybe they’re an acquired taste.   They hooked me a long time ago.   I’ll leave it at that tonight, friends.

Throughout most of  Saturday’s Georgetown Photography Festival I was with an exhibit of Blackland Prairie photos at the Williamson Museum.   However, before my museum stint began  it was possible to get out to take a few photos, presented here.   The annual happening is coordinated the museum and David Valdez,  personal photographer for President George H.W. Bush during his time in office.   David is a Georgetown/Sun City resident.   Normally, I forego posting anything specifically local, assuming friends in other areas aren’t interested.   This post, however, speaks to an event that celebrates photography’s reach across the world, people getting together with a common purpose, their love and interest in the medium.   We see enough dissonance already.   It’s nice to be part of an event giving that a back seat for a while.  If anyone’s interested, my photos will be at the museum through end of the month.

When they pop up each spring, Texas Bluebonnets don’t always show up where you’ve seen them before.   I was happy to see them spread their wonder across the land at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill this year.   It’s  by far the church I’ve photographed more than any other in Texas.   I’ll keep returning as long as possible.

The trees around Taylor’s Murphy Park took quite a beating during our recent ice storm.   I wondered if our flock of migratory birds would have a place to bring new life to their families this year.   These birds, however, are resilient.   These are some photos taken this week as egrets stay busy collecting limbs and twigs to build their nests.  Humans would do well to embrace their work ethic.   I’ve photographed these birds since moving here in 2009.   They are graceful and beautiful, also a federally-protected species.

From the Texas Parks & Wildlife site: “Great egrets, great blue herons and other migratory birds are protected under federal law.  It’s illegal to shoot, tap, or harm them in any way.”

The dark photos are cormorants, year-round residents here.   There’s always a little dissonance when the egrets come to town, but they work things out.

The cormorant enjoyed gliding through the water on a recent morning at Taylor’s Murphy Park.   If you see a “daily walk” photo, assume it’s made with my nice little Olympus camera.

As some may know, I have a special appreciation for cemeteries. Recently, I visited St. Peter’s Church Cemetery in Coupland.  It’s always a family’s history, even a photo,  inscribed on a gravestone.   On this outing, I made my way through most of the site, also recording blooming wildflowers.   As I prepared to leave, a car pulled in.   An older lady got out, accompanied by two young folks, who looked to be in their mid-20s.   The lady set about straightening things.   Never one to barge in and snap photos in a private moment, I did stop by to say hello.   The lady and her grandson were delightful.  After a while I asked if it would be okay to take a few photos.    They graciously agreed.  The lady’s husband was buried here in the late-1990s.  With the help of her grandson, she keeps the family plot looking nice.  “I’ll be buried here,” she told me.   Meeting the lady and her devoted grandson was a good end to a day.  Every grandma deserves a grandson like this one.  Such a quiet few moments.    The post begins at the end of my cemetery visit.

This small collection is from a few nights back, taken at Taylor’s Bull Branch Park.   Just some water, plus some trees seen in the waves.   Simple stuff.