A collection of photographs from Friday night’s Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo, for several years held in Jarrell.   Rodeos first were held beginning in 1938 at Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park, where they continued through 2018.   Since then, the rodeo has been held along County Road 305 in Jarrell.   It continues this evening, with gates opening at 6pm.   Wherever it’s held, it’s a fine event.  Most photos need little information.  The opening shot is a granddad, a member of the drill team, spending time with his 11-month-old grandson before joining his team in the arena.  The last photo was taken at night’s end, a father and his daughter unwinding by their horse trailer.  Daughter competed in Breakaway Roping.   Dad was there to cheer her on.

Time is at a premium today.   With that in mind, it’s just this one horse and one  tree before I go.   The late-day summer haze was beginning to set in.   We get a lot of that here.  Later, friends.

We had one of our early-summer storm sessions this afternoon and evening.   I’d planned to rest at the library, but the cloud cover was intriguing.   These four photographs are all southeast of Taylor, including Beyersville and Noack.   That’s Mager Cemetery in the opening shot.  Lightning was frequent.   That Texas Longhorn didn’t seem to mind the weather at all.  Nor did the Great Blue Heron angling for a fish in a Noack pond.  And a farmer heads home, also in Noack.    Taylor was soaked when I got home, but very little rain fell where I wandered.  

Three of these photographs were taken this evening.   The grain elevators are from last night.  Our Texas skies can be impressive.

Occasionally, when the sky is nice, and the road is clear, I’ll hop out of the car and just look.  And sometimes take a photograph.  This is from last evening, the car included.

Driving south from Taylor this evening, I didn’t expect to see much, but nearing Coupland  a rainbow filled the prairie sky.   Like most rainbows, they come and go quickly.   A few photographs were taken as I watched the rainbow become less distinct.   By the time I reached St. Peter’s Church of Coupland it was fading quickly, but any opportunity to photograph this church is worthwhile.

It’s not uncommon to see this shining star making an appearance in December, but it was a nice early-summer gift Monday night.  

A simple sunset tonight east of Walburg, Texas.   After Sunday’s busy post, this seemed like a good option.   It’s way too hot.

Much time this weekend has been devoted to documenting,, editing and finalizing photographs from from Taylor’s Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo, held Saturday at the Williamson County Expo Center.  The event is designed for young folks eighteen or younger.    Mentioned numerous times through the years, but the culture of rodeo is what draws me in.  It seems everyone wants to see action photos, but the features encompassing the sport are my primary inspiration.  On Facebook and Instagram I’ll make features and action separate posts, but they’re altogether here. If you see a photo posted, check with the Williamson County Sun to get it.  I don’t market a thing.  The first thirteen shots are features, the remainder action.   A note about action.  Among the most compelling events is bull riding.   Unfortunately, at these mostly evening rodeos, bull riding is saved for last, when the light is almost impossible to deal with.   Organizers probably do this to keep their audience in their seats for the grand finale, but it’s a visual nightmare.  I love documenting rodeos, but it’s exhausting, labor-intensive work.  

Another batch of photographs from daily walks, opening with a dandy chicken crossing the road.   Most were in Taylor, but one walk this week was in Georgetown.   This post is usually done on Sunday, but it fits well where it is this week.  There’s much on the plate tonight, none of it to do with social media.   As mentioned a few times, I don’t spend very long on a situation, only stopping long enough for a snapshot before meandering on.   Although Nikon is my primary camera, walk photographs are done with a very small Olympus.   Camera weight is tedious.