Georgetown Parks & Recreation held their Adults With Disabilities Dance, their Spring Fling, at the San Gabriel Community Center on Friday evening.  It’s a poignant, heartwarming event to see and document.  A 10-year-old joined his aunt for a few dances.   The moody lighting, just right for a dance floor, was challenging, but it all worked out well.   The parks department usually offers a similar dance close to Halloween.

These walks would probably be healthier if the stops for photographs  weren’t as frequent, but  mental well-being takes precedence.   My strolls usually last two-plus hours, Monday through Friday.   Subtract less than ten minutes for snapshots each time  and these old legs mosey on down the road.   These are all from Taylor.   The light was particularly nice on one morning when an assignment in Georgetown led to a walk beginning just after sunrise.  Golden morning light is nice.  

Sitting at the computer all afternoon,  the need to get outside was compelling.   The mid-day light was not fulfilling.  Something was needed to complete this day.   Minutes ahead of sunset, I  left home in search of a moment.   This tree, and that hazy sun, seemed to be the needed therapy.   A few frames were snapped before that sun just melted into the horizon.   Enough.

The Texas Photography Festival was held today in Georgetown, Texas.  Photographers from around the state came to view exhibits, listen to presentations and  attend workshops.   Since it was held on the square in Georgetown, I covered it for the Williamson County Sun.   Photographing other photographers, however, is not that intriguing.  Thankfully, a 9-year-old photographer was joined by his dad at the festival, something a little different in this era of smartphone undertakings.   David Valdez, the founder of the Texas Photography Festival (with the Williamson Museum) is pictured in the opening photograph.  The last shot are two friends who found their photographic sweet spots.

Hawks, when I’m lucky enough to see them, are usually perched on power lines, intent on hunting for sustenance.   They’re focused on task, not being pestered by a photographer.  The  hawk pictured tonight, obviously annoyed, kept moving from one place to another.   A few photographs were taken as I followed her movements.   She finally moseyed on.  Raptors are intriguing.

The egrets seem to be running a bit late for their annual trip to Taylor’s rookery this year, but we can always count on those intrepid cormorants to hold a few places there.   Anticipating a full moon, I decided to relax at the rookery this evening.   The full moon, when it finally showed up, darted in and out of clouds.   The cormorants actually seemed interested.   After about twenty minutes the moon settled into the clouds.  And it was getting mighty dark.   Before anyone asks, no, I am not staying up to see a lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday morning.   This old bag of bones needs the rest.  

Tonight’s views of the Blackland Prairie after a rainstorm moved through Central Texas.   We could’ve have used more rain, but were left with a rainbow, a Waxing Gibbous moon and a nice sunset.   The cemetery is Zion Lutheran Church, Sandoval, Texas.

Our state flower is usually seen in late-February.  I’ve been keeping an eye out for a few weeks.   Perhaps the recent frigid weather slowed things down a little, but it was good to see a couple of the little blooms tonight at a favorite place  in Circleville.   You’ll often see a large field of bluebonnets offered, but the essential nomenclature of these flowers always draws me in.

A recent night  scene near Thrall, a couple of days before the return of Daylight Saving Time.   No long missives tonight, friends, but just know I’m not fan of the change.

Somehow, after being involved in photography for 55 years, I’ve never documented the sport of equestrian vaulting, but was honored to do so on Saturday at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor.  It so happens that Georgetown has its very own team, Fly High Vaulters.   I’m thankful the group approached the Williamson County Sun about possible coverage.   From the group’s website: “Equestrian Vaulting is a sport involving gymnastics and dance performed on the back of a moving horse.”   The event covered this weekend included teams from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico.  If what I’m reading about the sport is right, Equestrian Vaulting will become an official sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.   The performers photographed Saturday were astonishing.  And that includes the well-trained horses.    Too many photos are posted, but these folks are so deserving.