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.  

With the exception of Friday, for every morning walk in Taylor an umbrella was toted.  Rain, a good thing, doesn’t pester the photographer, but the camera doesn’t like it.   But they were good strolls.  Slow, but productive.   It’s been a very busy week.  Allergies are hammering away, but we persevere.

Just a few photographs taken early Saturday morning  at the Red Poppy Bike Ride, coordinated by the Georgetown Sertoma Club.  In the past, this ride, which raises funds for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy  Center, was held on a weekend that didn’t coincide with the city’s Red Poppy Festival.   It was rewarding to follow the hundreds of cyclists into the countryside for photos, but because of the scheduling conflict with the festival, only photos were taken at the start before going down the road to the Poppy Festival.   it is what it is.