Too many things to juggle tonight. More simple stuff. While focused on other things in Granger, the setting sun redirected my attention. The post concludes with a windmill a little south of Granger. That’s all for now, friends.
You probably know this by now, but many of my photos for years have been devoted to agriculture. Since this week (through March 27) is National Agriculture Week, I spent some time the past few days taking photos of our beautiful Blackland Prairie area in east and north Williamson County, Texas. When returning to Texas in 2009, my long bike rides took me through some majestic scenes. Through the years, I’ve returned with a camera to document what I saw on those bike rides. The area is evolving quickly now. The last photo in this group is a field of wheat beginning to thrive. Look closely at that one. In the distance you’ll see a collection of construction cranes at the site of the Samsung Semiconductor facility, scheduled to open in 2024. They’ll be making much-needed chips to power the things we need, but as someone who was raised near a family farm in Northeast Texas, I hope we hold onto things that matter as we grow. 
During wildflower season each year I drive by this barn in the Jonah area. Bluebonnets are there every Spring. In other areas, bluebonnets don’t always make an appearance. They embrace this site every year. Continuity is good. 
From one of my morning walks this week. Just taking in the sights together at Taylor’s Murphy Park. A gentle little slice of life. 
While I don’t know much about horses, they are wonderful subjects for a camera, particularly on an evening with warm light that does its part to bring serenity. These fine equestrian examples were seen last evening as I drove around the Noack area, but not far from Thrall or Beyersville. Local friends know the area well. 
This was just a quick grab shot taken last evening just east of Taylor. I wanted to do more with it, but as most know, sunsets don’t wait. Barely visible in the lower portion are new crops. 
A friend recently suggested I take a drive a little south of Beyersville if interested in not just lots of bluebonnets, but also many donkeys among them. Since it involved a little extra driving, I was happy to find the place. Thankfully, I was able to spend a few minutes taking photos from a lightly-traveled county road. Growing up in far Northeast Texas (Texarkana) I can’t remember ever seeing bluebonnets, but they seem to thrive in Central, West and North Texas. A recent post also located some in Nacogdoches. Something in the Texas soil seems to suit our state wildflower (weed). I wonder if any Texans have tried to get them to grow in other areas of the country? 
It was wet enough this morning to carry an umbrella rather than my walking stick. I really think of the moisture as a gentle mist. The umbrella was only used about half of the two-plus hour stroll through Taylor. The duck friends were seen at Bull Branch Park. One photo is a completely soaked outdoor basketball court surface at Murphy Park. Perhaps a bit outlandish, but so is the person taking the photo. Droplets on leaves were also at Murphy Park. The expressive flower was one of several near St. James Episcopal Church. Only Olympus photos on my walks, friends. If I weren’t so entrenched in Nikon gear, at times I’d toss it all in favor of lighter stuff. My Olympus was purchased used, not their top of the line offering, but it’s so easy to carry. As I age, that matters. 
As Spring begins, how about some poppies? These photos were actually taken Sunday evening in the Sunken Garden in Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park. It was a warm night, adorned with nice light. Today, however, it’s rather cold. Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival will be April 28-30 this year. By then, the actual poppies will likely be gone. One must strike while the iron is hot! 
A continuation of windmills. Maybe they’re an acquired taste. They hooked me a long time ago. I’ll leave it at that tonight, friends. 
