The fires in Northern Mexico continue to create interesting skies in Central Texas.   These five were taken this evening in areas around Noack and Taylor.  There’s actually a threat of storms this evening, but so far we have hazy skies adorned with magenta.    It’s not good air for our lungs, but we persevere. 

All week I’ve assumed  the hazy Central Texas skies were a prelude to coming rain, but what we’ve been seeing can be attributed to fires throughout Northern Mexico.   Smoke from those fires have drifted our way, creating an interesting palette.   That, combined with high temperatures normally encountered in August, have given our area an interesting look.    The air quality isn’t so good, but it’s sort of pretty, not unlike the Saharan dust experienced a few years ago.   These are in the Granger area, including Granger City Hall.  A little rain wouldn’t be a bad thing right now.

This is a day late, but I wanted to represent Flag Day in some fashion.    These are from Wednesday evening near Zion Lutheran Church in Sandoval, Texas.   The quality on the flag photo isn’t up to par, but I like the message.   Plus a photo of a hazy setting sun.   Stay cool, friends.   It’s very hot in Texas.

During one of my occasional visits to the rookery at Taylor’s Murphy Park I met another photographer who also seemed to enjoy it very much.   Birders and photographers make their way here in large numbers every spring and summer.   Egrets and Ibis are migratory birds that arrive here to have their families.  On the night of July 4th last year the city’s fireworks caused a number of the birds to panic, crashing into power transformers.   Some of the birds perished.  Power in some areas was out for several hours.   With extensive news coverage, I thought the city would move the fireworks  away from the rookery, perhaps select another location.   Lord knows, they have sponsors with deep pockets. I’ve seen signs throughout Taylor advertising this year’s 4th celebration, once again at Murphy Park.  Maybe the city has made arrangements for a safer show?   Some weigh in if that’s so.  Perhaps folks need a reminder: migratory birds are a protected species.   To harm them is unwise, even if you don’t like them.   Some of us do.   These are from a recent outing.

While large bodies of water are often majestic, it’s the small ones  that can bring a feeling of calm.    A pond will do that for me.    Monday evening, I wandered into Bell County near sunset.   On a lightly-traveled road, the last rays of golden light  caressed the surface of this pond.  Stopping to take a photo, I soon realized the road was mine.   No vehicles came charging from behind.   For about ten minutes I watched the setting sun kiss the surface of that pond.   Finally moving on, I was happy to witness this bit of prairie serenity.

For years I’ve been taking photographs of prairie farmhouses well beyond their prime.   They’ve been posted occasionally, but not in quite some time.   That aside, they’ve still found their way in front of a camera.   Since they’re beginning to crowd my computer’s desktop,  let’s offer several tonight.  Some versions have been posted before, others here for the first time tonight.   As the Blackland Prairie deals with incredible growth, how long before these sites are razed to make room for subdivisions?  Some become barns.  Some just wither away.   Things change.

Put on a happy face.   Kermit does.

Through the years, when passing by the Saul Family Cemetery in Norman’s Crossing, I’m always   glad to see crops thriving in the adjacent fields.  Development continues at a rapid clip in this area along F.M. 1660.  Drivers on this busy road probably don’t give this ground a second thought.  They have places to be.   The Saul family settled in this area near Brushy Creek in 1850.  Charles Saul, born in 1818, purchased 640 Blackland Prairie acres, including the land for this cemetery.   He was laid to rest here in 1870.    The last  burial  was in 1918.   It’s a rich piece of Williamson County history.  I hope progress doesn’t do it harm.  

Although the Summer Solstice doesn’t arrive until the 21st, Georgetown’s Market Days was pretty hot.   I don’t think we reached triple digits, but it wasn’t far off.    Offered are some photos that speak to weather, but also three  very fluffy Lionhead bunny rabbits being given away by a family with too many rabbits on their hands.   The little girl with pigtails cajoled mom and dad into bringing the white one home with them.   The little boy and his mama were just looking, but having a good time.  I particularly like the little girl looking up at grandma while the the two found a shady place to rest. 

On daily walks in Taylor the past few weeks I’ve seen more ducklings than ever.    It’s been a good year for duck families.   Ducks are feathered royalty in this community.   You’ll see them not just in parks, but in neighborhoods.   This is just a small collection of newborns spotted while toting my little mirrorless Olympus camera.  Even if you don’t see them in a photo, the mother ducks are always nearby, always protective.