Summer is most definitely here in Texas.   Maybe those morning walks need to start earlier, but we do what we can.   For newer followers, these Monday through Friday walk photographs were made with an inexpensive Olympus OM-D E-M10 mirrorless camera equipped with a Panasonic Lumix 45-150mm lens, a basic micro-four thirds setup.   Nikons are still the main working gear, but the Olympus is certainly a temptation.  These walks aren’t fast, but hasty enough for an old guy.    You’ll generally see a squirrel among the collections, plus a few botanicals and birds.   From this week’s muggy strolls in Taylor.

Three photographs from Taylor’s July 4th celebration, beginning with one taken tonight during the fireworks show.   This is from the fishing pier at Bull Branch Park.   Fireworks are not something enjoyed, but folks seem to like them.   The other two photos are from Taylor’s 4th parade this morning.

A few photographs taken today at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park during their Sertoma Club July 4th celebration.   One of the highlights is their Hometown Parade that courses through the park.   Kids and families dress to the nines.   It’s a lot of fun.   There were musical acts, but you’ll need to find those in the Williamson County Sun.   This is just attendees.   The night is still busy, signing off for a bit.

From tonight’s wanderings, a post about flags, rural Texas, and a sunset.   As the 250th anniversary of America nears, a nod to small-town l Texas, including downtown Thrall, just a bit over 800, and Coupland, about 300.  And a sunset in Beyersville.  Saturday will be noisy.   These are meant to be quiet.

There’s a grove of trees not far from home that’s been in front of a camera a few times.  Sometime it’s just one tree, one shaft of light.

A lot of time has been spent with this old truss bridge spanning the San Gabriel River, just north of Taylor.   Local folks refer to it as either the Rowe Valley Bridge or the Easley Bridge, named after the family who helped make the bridge possible in 1909.  The bridge has survived through many hardships, including a devastating flood in 1921.   After that flood, the bridge height was raised by 4 feet.   The bridge was retired in 1982, replaced by a rather dull concrete bridge .   The wooden floor is cracking, missing a few pieces, but the rusty  steel girders are still strong.  Before light pollution made things difficult, an entire night was spent on the bridge, awaiting a meteor shower that never really took hold.   Stops there are still made.   Seeing the river flowing from that perch is nice.   A while back a rumor indicated it would be taken down.   So far, it’s still with us, a beacon of county history.

From last night and tonight, dusty skies over the Blackland Prairie in Central Texas.   Saharan Dust remains for a while.

Red-Winged Blackbirds are challenging subjects.  At this time of year they’re nestled in fields adorned with corn and milo.   Getting photographs of them is interesting.   But it’s fun to try.  

From this evening as the sun begins to set over Saint Peter’s Church of Coupland.   Saharan Dust has settled into areas of the south and southwest, giving us hazy skies.  The dust will be with us for a while.  Although problematic for allergy and sinus sufferers, it’s really quite beautiful.

Tonight’s moon is at 99.3% visibility, doggone close to full.   The first two were from the Prince of Peace Lutheran  Church cemetery in Wuthrich Hill,  just east of Taylor.   And one more, a little west of that, a vintage barn nestled below the lunar presence.  This will probably suffice for a full moon offering this month.