Offered here are a few photographs from the Georgetown Sertoma Club 4th of July celebration held today in San Gabriel Park.   The day includes a hometown parade, a very informal event winding through the park, kids and families on bikes, walking, etc.    Following that was several musical acts, rides for the kids, a petting zoo, lots of food and beverages, in addition to many American flags.   The event concludes with fireworks tonight, something I always try to avoid.  I’m not a fireworks fan.

Folks around here are looking for ways to combat the intense Texas heat.   Some found their way to the splash pad in Taylor’s Heritage Square Park, but one group of friends discovered a picturesque creek in North Williamson County.   For all the years I’ve been here, this was my first view of this stream, an idyllic setting on the prairie.  Stay cool (and hydrated), friends.

A recent story mentioned the Saharan dust is moving in from Mexico this week.   While it’s probably not good for our lungs, the phenomenon does produce some interesting sunsets.   From last evening in North Williamson County.

During their nesting months in Taylor, I enjoy a short drive to Murphy Park  to observe the antics and flight behavior of these exceptional migratory birds, including Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Ibis.   The best times to see them are the beginning and end of a day.   Most of my visits have been in the early-evening, when more birds are present and the light is favored.  As mentioned a few times, these birds aren’t popular with some residents, most complaining about their smell and the poop left on roofs and in yards.   We’ve lived near this park since 2009 and have never experienced these issues.    Quite a few photographers travel far to see these birds, also spending money in Taylor.  That’s a win for the local economy.   Beyond that, I just like these birds.   As summer’s heat and drought moves forward, they’re facing tough times.  

A little bit more of my fascination with prairie grasses, including photos from Beyersville, Taylor, Coupland, Granger and Walburg.  

Three offerings from one recent morning walk in Taylor, Texas.  The opening photograph is my favorite, but folks enjoy seeing butterflies, too.  That butterfly was was kind enough to stay put for a quick photo.

Scenes from Friday night’s Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo, now in its 80th year.   For decades this event was held in the rodeo arena at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park.   After losing that site, the rodeo moved a few miles north, to Jarrell.   The rodeo continues tonight, with gates opening at 6p.m.   If you go, drink plenty of water, before and during the event.   Our Texas summer heat is out in force.  

In these wanderings I often stop to photograph a fence post,  often  weathered by time, evidence of their strength and durability.  Their texture, and the reaction of light on their surface is what draws me to them.   Most are adorned with strands of barbed wire, binding posts together with the goal of keeping livestock enclosed.   We Texas folks often think barbed wire began here, but its first patent was issued to Lucien B. Smith of Kent, Ohio in 1867.  Just musings on things seen while driving far too many miles.  I need to scale back, but not tonight.  An early post of a few posts.

For several years I’ve driven past the long-closed cotton gin in Walburg, but didn’t stop.   No Trespassing signs let me know this was off limits.   Just last week, however, while covering the Hamburger Fundraiser at St. Peter Lutheran Church, I’d learned from an attendee that the gin had been sold to a young couple in Georgetown.   The lady at the fundraiser, who lives near the gin, knew the names of the new owners.   After some texts and emails, the couple gave me a thumbs up for photos.  When arriving, I was glad to see the couple, along with some interested friends.  Wisely, we all wore boots and long pants! The new owners had already cleared years of brush and trees from the property, making it much more visible.   They found out the gin first opened in the early-1930s, continuing to operate into the 1980s.   For years it remained vacant, but was used for scenes in one of the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” remakes.   The structure is beautiful inside and out.  Ornamental iron steps lead to the second floor.  The owners haven’t formulated a plan for its future, but they hope let it remain, perhaps as an event venue.   It’s nice to see a place imbedded in significant history stay for future generations to see.  If you read the Williamson County Sun this weekend, you’ll find a small story.   I don’t name the owners here,  or on social media, but they’re identified in the newspaper.   Best of luck to them!

The exploration of barns continues with three examples tonight.   As the daylight hours lengthen this type of photo becomes more difficult to make unless I choose to stay out until bedtime.