On the first day of Spring I stopped by Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown, enjoying the scenery and visiting a fisherman seeking out some good spots for his passion.    The plant life was abundant as well.  From there I traveled east, to Berry Springs Park & Preserve, a place that never bores me.  There I watched as a young lady darted across a field in the late-afternoon light, a mom helping her 3-year-old take photos of bluebonnets and a few more bluebonnets, sharing their space with a single red poppy.  It’s felt spring-like for a while around here, but now it’s official.  Revel in it, friends.

After a paying assignment earlier in the day on Saturday, I needed wander a little, too.  By late-afternoon, I was a little west of Granger, where these photos were made.  The light was interesting.   The image with the windmill and trees had an interesting warmth, Mother Nature’s version of a sepia tone.   By the way, those are two different windmills.   We have quite a few of them around here.At some point, I’ll figure out exactly what those four-legged animals are.  I’m pretty sure they’re donkeys, but maybe they’re mules.   Either way, they were a curious group last night.

I just heard that rock legend Chuck Berry died today at his home in Missouri at age 90.   While the exact date fails me, this is a photo I took at one of his concerts in Atlanta in the early 1980s.   Back in the day, fans could sometimes make their way onstage.   That might not happen today.   Mr. Berry was, and is, a classic. 

The Williamson County Expo Center is a short drive from my home in Taylor, Texas.  The facility, here when we moved home to Texas in 2009, has been expanded and enhanced, now offering many more events.  One that I particularly enjoyed last evening was their Open Ride Night, a low-key, no-cost and non-competitive  event where folks could enjoy time with their horses in the arena, perhaps try their hand at barrel racing, but also outside, among the Spring wildflowers.   Also joining in the fun was Gus, an 11-week-old Australian Shepherd.  These dogs seem drawn to anything equestrian.  Those billowing blooms are what I call winecups, but you call them whatever suits your mood.   I’ve said it many times, but this part of Texas, the Blackland Prairie, is a pleasure to behold.

This photo was taken in August 1980 in Shreveport, Louisiana shortly before I left for Atlanta.    A concerned Doris Roberts walks with Shreveport firefighter Paul Brown after he successfully rescued and revived her cat, which was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment.   Firefighters continue to be heroes today.

With some time on my hand this week, I decided to look around for some wildflower images.   A warm and wet winter seems to be bringing them to Texas a little sooner this time around.  One of my favorite places to visit when in Georgetown is Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens.   Most years, wildflowers take root.   This year is no exception, but the large field on a hill above the cemetery is not quite there.   The drive into the cemetery, however, is filling with bluebonnets and Four-nerve daisies.  Don’t ask me where that name came from, but I like it.   The garden area here is maintained by Williamson County Master Gardeners and Naturalists so I know their labeling is spot on.   But let me call attention to my most interesting encounter …. a large agave plant.  Everything from the fourth photo to the end is the agave, photographed as the light faded to a blue warmth.  Yes, I do see blue as being warm!   I’ve passed by this plant numerous times, but haven’t considered it too much, until last evening.   The late-day light was filtering through nearby trees, creating a wonderful palette of color, highlights and shadows.   I was transfixed.   When viewing obviously-manipulated photos, I can’t help but wonder why photographers don’t just choose the right time of day for their photo sessions?  Assuming they have a choice, that is.   Mother Nature does some fine things with color if you take the time to see.

I’m just posting this photo tonight, taken about twenty minutes past sundown on a county road north of Taylor.   Like many things I photograph, this was an unplanned thing.  The fields on the left and right are ripe for planting.  Have  a good night.

Daylight Saving Time was a good thing for area fishermen on Monday evening at Dickerson’s River Bottom, on the San Gabriel River south of Granger.   Although this location, off County Road 347, may seem to be off the beaten path, people know this is a grand place, not only for scenery, but also to catch white bass.  When I arrived a little before dark tonight, the parkng lot was packed.  When I traversed the path leading back to the parking lot just before 8pm there was still a wee bit of light in the sky.  

As much as I’ve railed about Daylight Saving Time, it’s here.   As mentioned in earlier posts, many friends will benefit from “spring forward.”   I am happy for them, really.   They deserve to enjoy their lives and their families.   Here’s one taken last evening, along a county road in East Williamson County, Texas, before the clocks shot into the future.

Once a month, the Downtown Georgetown Association presents its Market Days on the square.  The square becomes a pedestrian paradise, with no motor vehicle traffic to intrude.  Today’s was a wee bit wet, but people showed up, including a serious 4-year-old keeping her cherished snow cone close at hand.  Who can blame her?     It’s  a lovely town square.    Without too much wordiness tonight, here are some photos.