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.

It’s the second day of Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival.   Tonight’s photographs offer the parade, a little from the car show, and at the end, a large cat who calls herself Groovy, wandering around the town square.  Groovy wasn’t promoting a business,  just having fun.

A few scenes from the opening day of Geogetown’s Red Poppy Festival.   The festival continues through Sunday on the Georgetown Square.  It was very crowded tonight.

A few years back our daughter-in-law asked if it would be possible to make  photographs of a magnolia bloom for their home.   Since then, an effort is made every Spring to photograph a tree.   This tree rests in the front yard of a Taylor neighbor.  Magnolia trees, and their rather large leaves, are best seen in detail photographs.  Natural light loves them. A few are offered here.

Mentioned a while back, but if there were only one thing to visually document, it would be windmills. These rural skyscrapers continue to  inspire.   Tonight,  a new (to the photographer) windmill is added to the mix.  Recently, a friend made a request.  Would it be possible to take photographs of the windmill at her family’s farm?  It was easy to say yes.   Before you jump the gun and proclaim “Oh, that’s on the farm owned by ………”, but allow the family to offer that information, not shouting it  on social media.   The farm has no family there for now.  “No Trespassing” signs  are well-placed, but permission was given to allow for these photos.   An added bonus was a mighty fine barn on the property.  Windmills are wonderful.   Thanks to this  family for reaching out.