For four of these five morning walks carrying an umbrella was a given.   As we climb closer to summer that rain was a gift, but it does make some strolls a little harder.    As always, this and that, friends.  

A few photographs taken Saturday morning at the annual Taylor Fest, held at Heritage Square Park in downtown Taylor.  Among the performers were members of the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team and the Ballet Folklorico dance troupe from McCallum High School.   A petting zoo, free to visitors, was offered by Wild Things Zoofari.

The Williamson Museum held their 20th Pioneer Day today at the Old Settler’s Association site in Round Rock, Texas.   Two nice camels made an appearance this year.  They were  really cool.   Native American dance performances were wonderful.   The Buffalo Soldiers were here to share their knowledge.  A longtime museum volunteer brought along his collection of vintage firearms, including the own shown, manufactured in 1845.   One of the attendees was sporing a bright red fox head.  Mid-day light shone through a windmill.  Association grounds includes a couple of windmills.   Windmills are never ignored.

The day was filled with constant rain.   The landscape transformed this evening on the Blackland Prairie.

The early-evening blue light graced this pond near Taylor last evening.   No people, no cows, no birds, no turtles.   Just a bit of quiet space.   Thankfully, the road was lightly-traveled, allowing a few moments to  savor the site.   Those are becoming rare, but still appreciated.

Wheat fields are thriving right here in Taylor.   The field  photographed tonight didn’t look seem to merit an expansive presentation, but  closeups were pretty nice.  The convergent lady beetle was right at home!

Although we’ve been short on bluebonnets this year, the wildflowers that are amazingly abundant are Indian Blankets, or Firewheels.   On the side of almost every road in East Williamson County their bright reds and yellows are hard to miss, sometimes joined by thistle flowers. .  Will more of the expected rain wear them down?   It’s hard to say, but they’re quite striking.   These few are only minutes from home.

Other than rain, there’s been a certain hazy look in our area.   It’s probably not Saharan Dust this time.  A story this week mentioned smoke from fires in Mexico and Central America might be the reason.   At any rate, it makes for some interesting skies.   These are from a cornfield in North Williamson County, taken as sunset nears. All the rain we’ve had might be affecting the rapid growth this year.  It looked elegant when these photographs were taken this week.

Near Walburg tonight, where hazy skies hovered over a cornfield and  a quiet unpaved road.  Recent rain is  nourishing our crops.

After two days of coverage, there wasn’t a real plan to go back to Georgetown on Sunday, but the opportunity  to photograph a lot of very cute dogs was all the impetus needed.   These photographs from the POPP Pup  Parade and Costume Contest.   About 200 dogs and their humans showed up.   This small collection doesn’t’ do it justice.