Since we’ve lived in Taylor, not quite six years,  one of the relaxing things I’ve been able to do, with cameras in hand, of course, is visit the lake at Murphy Park, just up the road from our house.   In the center of that little lake is a habitat for avian wildlife.   Each Spring, their population grows as the birds, including egrets, herons,  ducks, and geese, come here to nest and begin new families.  Not being the smartest fellow in the world, I didn’t know this spot had a name:  a rookery.   It’s interesting to note that many of the locals are not big fans of these birds.  As they fly around town, it seems they sometimes bombard  yards with an over-abundance of poop.   We only live a mile from here, but I haven’t noticed any leavings around my house.   Each to his/her own, I suppose.   All I know is that  it’s a pleasure to observe these new families each year.  Their winged grace is something to be admired.

Southwestern University, in Georgetown, Texas, held their 11th Annual Native Spring Powwow last weekend.   Again this year, the Williamson County Sun assigned me to photograph this colorful and inspiring gathering.   With something like this, I don’t have many words to add, preferring to allow the photos room to speak for themselves.

The weather forecast leading up to Saturday morning’s 2015 Autism Bike Ride wasn’t looking promising.   On their site, the organizers at The Autism Society of Central Texas placed a note to advise participants of possible cancellation if things went south.   When Saturday morning arrived, however, it was cloudy, but winds were calm and the rain was only a drizzle, but not even much of that.   In other words, great weather for everyone.   For cyclists, the distance choices included 68, 42, 24 and 9 mile rides, plus a fun run.   One of the fun runners was Emily Hawkins, there with her son, Jackson, 3, who has autism.  They’re shown in two photos here, their bright red hair sparkling in the morning light.

There were plenty of people there riding  for “Team Jackson” though, including Cheryl Gregg, in the opening photo,  cycling past some bright yellow wildflowers on County Road 140.   Other “Team Jackson” members cycling through picturesque Williamson County were friends Linda Brown and Marlys Gardner, zipping past a field of bluebonnets in the final photo.   And three friends found a field of Texas Longhorns a good place for a rest stop to visit with the state’s iconic cows, who seemed to relish the attention.   All in all, it was a good day to raise funds, and awareness, for a very good cause.  These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

From time to time, you’ll see something here that doesn’t concentrate on any single subject.   As the name of this blog clearly states, my cameras and I wander, or “ramble” if you prefer.   Since it’s April in Central Texas, this post includes wildflowers, of course, but also:  a nice little sunset on a sweet county road north of Coupland, the simplicity of an unpaved country road,  a farmer’s newly-planted crops on a peaceful stretch of County Road 418,  the day’s final rays falling on Zion Lutheran Church, in Sandoval, cattle at their “tank” along Farm Road 112, east of Taylor, and finally, young foals at sunrise on a gray morning  just outside Georgetown.   Hopefully, I have a few rambling years left in me to record the majesty of Texas.

Easter weekend has been pleasant.   Wildflowers are in bloom all over Williamson County, Texas.   The first four photos in this post are from Berry Springs Park & Preserve, where the blooms are bright and healthy.   The next couple shots are from Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens,  a place that exudes peacefulness.   There, bluebonnets co-exist with grave sites, but seem to like the nearness of some nice agave plants.   Next weekend, on Sunday, April 12, Our Lady hosts their Field of Flowers Day, from 1-4p.m.   Since it costs nothing but time (and a little gas), I heartily suggest a visit.   Also on the docket Saturday morning was a visit to youth soccer matches.   Nobody was expecting it to be chilly in April around here, but blankets were the order of the morning.   Finally, I end this offering with Easter Egg hunts sponsored by St. Peter Lutheran Church, in Walburg, and Main Street Baptist Church, in Georgetown.   Enjoy the wildflowers, but be careful of where you sit.   These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.

Just two weeks ago, if you were looking for red poppies in Georgetown, Texas, you had to do some serious searching.   Today, at the beginning of April, they have arrived in abundance.   Among those enjoying the beautiful blooms were members of the Sun City plein air painting group.   J.C. Johnson and his wife, Linda, are very proud of their poppies and were more than happy to have plein air folks set up their easels.   Just around the corner, Edwards Park was a sight to behold.  Nichole Chicoy found the poppies there the perfect spot to snap photos of her new bicycle.   It’s all good as the city prepares for its annual Red Poppy Festival, April 24-36.   These photos were taken for the Williamson County Sun.

Among my favorite events to attend each March is the Special Olympics, sponsored by the San Gabriel  Breakfast Kiwanis Club.    This year, athletes attended from Georgetown, Taylor, Hutto and Austin.    To me, the Special Olympics, wherever they’re held, are really what sports is about, a sweet, enduring and pure activity not based on financial gain, or really, even about winning.   In Special Olympics, everyone wins.  Like 11-year-old Alize Ramos, helping begin the games in a torch run around the track, assisted by her teacher, Clay Cansler, left, and Georgetown firefighter Colby Lyons.   Or athletes Zeke Walker and Trevor Leathers going head-to-head in the 100-meter run.   After the race, the young men shared a warm hug.    One of my favorite moments is the last photo in this series, where athlete Suraj Naik, at left, gets a hug from volunteer Austin Mallard, a senior at Georgetown High School, also a member of the football team.   Normally, I’m not a fan of someone looking right into my lens, but the young football player’s eyes spoke volumes about his compassion for the athletes.   We need a few more Austin Mallards in the world.   These photos were taken for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

After completing an assignment nearby, I stopped at Round Rock’s Chisholm Trail Park.   An artist friend had heard about the wagon tracks imbedded in Brushy Creek’s bed and wanted to know if the old tracks, from the time of the cattle drives through Texas, was a good candidate for her paintbrush and easel.  It was.   Before heading home, however, I happened by the almost-hidden waterfall at the park, something passersby might not notice.   But Robert Cliborn, and his 2-year-old friend, Dosha, knew about it.  With temperatures well into the 80s when these photos were taken this week, this was a grand spot for the pair.  Springtime doesn’t last long around here.   Finding a good watering hole is a big plus.

These photos were all taken the other day, late on Wednesday afternoon.  Storms were approaching Williamson County, Texas.   After all the fuss, a real thunderstorm never really materialized, but the clouds certainly did.   I’ve mentioned numerous times my feelings for Texas skies.   Wednesday’s display speaks directly to that.   Among the images:  a tiny cemetery in a field, in Weir, Southwestern University, in Georgetown, First United Methodist Church, also in Georgetown, a farmer’s soon-to-be corn field, in Jonah, a very cool old red barn (rainbow included at left), near Jonah, and finally, a windmill, about a mile from my house, in Taylor.   These photos were taken within a 2-hour span. Texas skies are a visual feast.

Renee Gamez wants to be sure Marley, her 2-year-old feline, gets plenty of fresh air, but with so many distractions near her home, she keeps her big boy safe, utilizing a harness and  a leash.   Marley, however, took a decidedly cat-like attitude on their Monday evening stroll.   Renee’s a good mommy, keeping Marley safe from loose dogs, and a cat’s urge to chase ducks at Taylor’s Murphy Park.