Red poppies are abundant in Georgetown this week.   A few days ago, I didn’t see many, but recent rain has brought them to us in a big way.  These photos were taken this weekend at Edwards Park, a little pocket park a couple blocks east of the town square.  The young lady in the opening photo caressed and sniffed a few, but her grandmother reminded her not to pick them.   The Red Poppy Festival, normally held in the spring, has been moved to October because of the pandemic.   The poppies, however, don’t wait.

If you follow my posts, either here or on social media, you know I’ve had an affection for the rookery at Taylor’s Murphy Park.   For eleven years I’ve been observing the egrets as they settle into their spring ritual of expanding their families.   They’ve been trickling in for about a month, but when I stopped by there last evening, it’s like all their friends finally got the message!   Photographer friends like closeup images when they stop by, but their graceful flight is what impresses me every single time.  It’s aerial ballet.  They’ll be around through the summer, usually leaving by October.   I hope to see them a bit more this year.

When I parked just south of the square in Georgetown this morning, clouds continued to dominate the skies.  The sun moved in and out of the clouds above Grace Heritage Center.  Two versions are included.  I like them both, but the first one might require a bigger screen than many folks have handy.   The second image might help.  The old structure, at 9th and Main, began life in 1881 as Grace Episcopal Church, remaining so until 1991.   Rather than let it be torn down when a new church was built, the City of Georgetown took it under her wing, creating a lasting event venue.   It’s overseen by the city and Preservation Georgetown.   I’m glad it’s still here.  

Shiloh-McCutcheon Cemetery,  rests atop a hill at the end of a dirt road between Hutto and Norman’s Crossing.   Development surrounds it, but for now, you can still see evidence of Spring planting in the field below.  The first burials here were in 1853, including veterans of the Texas Revolution, the Civil War, plus both World Wars.   I was happy to see a thriving field of corn planted in the field below the cemetery.  The only evidence I show here are two portable toilets in a field near the cemetery.  A subdivision will soon be nearby.   Thankfully, the cemetery remains.  I can’t help but wonder how much that bothers developers.

I heard a story on NPR this morning mentioning that 75% of Texas is experiencing drought.   We need the rain, even when it arrives quick and powerful, then passes to the east.   The first image was actually taken during the brief rain.   You might not be able to tell it here, but it was pounding the prairie with force.   As a photographer living on the prairie, however, what comes after a storm moves through is quite wonderful, the skies rich, the land saturated with moisture.   It all comes together nicely.  At least I think so.

No theme tonight, only a couple of unrelated photos I need to get off my desktop.  The first is a Great Egret foraging for a meal along the San Gabriel River in Georgetown.   The second image:  wildflowers taking up residence on long-dormant railroad tracks a little south of Granger.  

While my sinus and allergy issues  give me a hard time at harvest time, I always enjoy seeing the onset of wheat crops around the Blackland Prairie.   I don’t know, but wonder if the massive ice storm we had in mid-February slowed down this year’s planting, but it seems so.  Two years ago, I was photographing the actual wheat harvest in mid-April.   In the first image, you’ll see some lights in the distance.   This field is remarkably close to a busy road in East Williamson County, Texas.   Unfortunately, we’re seeing more busy roads each year.   I like that wildflowers are co-existing with the farmer’s work.    Wheat is far and away the most elegant agricultural product on the planet.  At least I think it is.

When taking photos, there are times when I just need to sit down and rest a few minutes.   I did that on the square in Georgetown Saturday during Market Days.  There’s a couple nice benches at 8th and Main Streets, with good shade provided by Oak trees.   While relaxing, I looked into tree overhead, thinking I might spot a green heron.   They like to nest here.  The herons weren’t there, but the light falling on the leaves was intriguing.   Still sitting down, I snapped a few photos.  

Some photos tonight from two communities in Burnet County, Bertram and Oatmeal.  Bertram’s population is around 1400.  The town was established in 1882.   The opening photo is a family who requested I take a photo of them in front of one of the vintage buildings (circa 1904).  By the same building, an Oregon dog called Henry answered nature’s call.   Also included here is a photo of the folk art iron work of Garry Curry, very cool, reminiscent of Georgia’s Reverend Howard Finster.  About six miles south of Bertram is what remains of the community of Oatmeal,  quite a few years older than Bertram, established in the 1840s by German immigrants.  There are only a handful of people here today, but a school, now a community center, is there.  Along with a very nice windmill.

040421 BERTRAM,

If the pandemic doesn’t derail it again this year, Bertram hosts the annual Oatmeal Festival on Labor Day.  If you drive south from Bertram on Ranch Road 243, look for the oatmeal box.

While taking in the wildflowers beginning to bloom at Berry Springs Park & Preserve this morning, I noticed a small gathering, not unusual at a park as lovely as this.   Then I noticed the  white doves, taking me away from the flowers.   I didn’t want to interrupt, but a journalist’s curiosity clicked on.   It was a memorial service for a baby who died at birth, only six days ago.   Family and friends gathered to commemorate her birth with the release of white doves, facilitated by Lone Star White Dove Release.  Before snapping photos, I asked if it was okay to record what was happening, then proceeded.   These are images from that brief observance.   This was a Trinity Release.   It begins with the release of a single dove, representing  the spirit of the departed, followed by the release of three more doves, representing the Father, Son and  the Holy Spirit.  Upon release, the spirit dove joins the others as they begin their spiritual flight home.   It was a solemn, but touching observance.