Since moving to Taylor in 2009, the event now called Taylor Fest has also been called Blackland Prairie Days, Zest Fest, etc.  This year’s festival was held Saturday at Heritage Square Park.   Several acts performed, but this post focuses on two, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico and the Aztec Dancers, from Taylor’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.   The most compelling Aztec Dancer was just 3-years-old.  Every photo from their performance includes this little guy.  Normally, I’d include more troupe members, but that little guy’s expressions determination were too good to pass up.  

The Williamson Museum held its 19th Pioneer Day at the Old Settlers Association site in Round Rock today.   While it would’ve been nice to stay longer, another assignment was also happening.   The Old Settlers Association grounds are adorned with snippets of Williamson County history.   The last photo is of friend David Valdez.   David, the official photographer for President George H.W. Bush, and a Williamson County resident,  led a photo walk here today.  He’s a year older than yours truly, but has an abundance of energy.

Photographs offered here are from the past two evenings around the Blackland Prairie.  We’ve experienced stormy weather near week’s end, some of it bringing rain.  Last night’s rain was heavy enough to seep into our house, but all is good.   Precipitation is good.   The first five photos are from Thursday evening in  the Coupland area, including one of Saint Peter’s Church of Coupland, resting under billowy mammatus clouds.  The last three were taken this evening as I wandered around East Williamson County, Texas.   Horses provide the transition.   The weather still has elements of turbulence, but photographs tonight are a done deal.   Reading time nears.

Storms can be turbulent and destructive, but they often produce a quality of light unparalleled.     These seven photographs are from a drive through southern Bell County last evening.   Consider it another post where little needs to be said.  The same windmill is include twice, just different perspectives.   That is a Crested Caracara in a couple of shots, joined by a vulture friend in one.   Hopefully that horse was able to get to a safe place.

From Wednesday evening, a stormy scene over downtown Granger.   Turbulent skies.

Call them what  you like,  but here  on the Blackland Prairie I call them prairie grass.   You’ll see them gathering near planted fields this time of year.   Whipped around by the Texas wind, getting proper focus is challenging.  It’s a task.   Potential storms are filling the skies here tonight.   We do need the moisture.   For now, just these grasses.

When people think of vultures, they picture them on the ground, fetching a meal from the  roadside.     If  you see them in flight, however, you might understand why I think they’re elegant birds.    While driving near Granger Monday evening, I noticed several dancing through the airwaves.   It was a good to see them at work.  I spent about fifteen minutes watching them.   These birds deserve our praise.

Easily my favorite grain elevators to photograph.   From a recent outing close to Coupland, but actually (barely) in Travis County, Texas.    Just this tonight, friends.

These were also taken this weekend at Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival, but the focus here is on All Things Wild Rehabilitation, a wonderful group of folks.   Whenever possible, I like to call attention to their work.   Four photos are offered.  The first is of Helen Laughlin, the group’s president, holding Polly, a duck that came into their care after being found missing most of her beak.   A Southwestern University student designed a prosthetic beak for Polly.   That will be surgically secured to Polly on Monday at a clinic in South Austin.   The second photo is a 2-year-old visiting with Polly.    All Things Wild helps a lot of animals.   The third photo is of Kim, a friend who volunteers at All Things Wild.  She’s holding Penny, a recent addition.  Because Penny has health issues, she’ll be an ambassador, meaning she’ll be taken care of for all her life.   The last shot is of a pair of 4-month-old possums enjoying a little play time.  When they and their siblings are old enough, they’ll be returned to a natural habitat.  Nothing said here will come close to giving this group the kudos they deserve.

A snippet of Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival is offered tonight.   The three-day event concluded on the town square today.   These are from Saturday and today.   Today’s venture there was to photograph the Popp Pup Parade.   You don’t need a lot of words with this post.   They’re just slices of life seen this weekend.