April Wildflowers

 Out for the wildflowers!  This has been a great wildflower season in our area.  I read some reports that the traditional areas, hill country, were not so good.  But not far from home I found these flowers.   Just out on FM 362 south of Whitehall and I heard there are some more in that area, but these satisfied my hunt.

All images were hand held and taken with my Sony A7 MIII using the 24-240mm lens.  

These images were in a fenced field and being the good neighbor I shot over and under the fence.  Besides these were protected by a barbed wire fence, all three strands - ouch.

Just down the road from the above field was an open gate with a welcome sign and a parking area.  Many thanks to the Cox family at Retreat Hill for giving us wildflower peepers a safe place to pull off the highway.  Even providing a tractor and a "gazebo" for background.  

Highland Games

 Houston Highland Games

After a two year hiatus the Highland games have returned.  This is a gathering of the Scottish Clans in the Houston Area.   There are athletic games, Bag piping contests, traditional dancing and various vendors of clan paraphernalia.  This was a good photo op with what I thought were going to be smallish crowds.  There was more than I thought but it was manageable.  My stamina is not as great as it was once was, so this is the right size for me.  The venue for this event was at the Humble Civic Center and Event Complex in Humble Texas.  All covered and with the exception of the event arena it is all concrete so its easy to get around.  Enough of my rambling - ONTO THE SHOW.  These were all shot hand held with my Sony A7MkIII, with my Sony FE 24-240 mm lens and Auto ISO.  Most of the ISO came out over 10,000 so I post processed using Adobe Lightroom and Topaz Denoise.  

Stone Put

This event is similar to modern day shot out.  BUT instead of a steel shot a large stone is used.  there are two differing techniques allowed the "Braemar Stone" using a stone weighing weighing 20-26 lbs. does not allow any run up to the toe board or "trig" to deliver the stone.  The 2nd technique, the "Open Stone" using a 16-22 lb. stone is put with one hand and  starting with the stone resting cradled in the neck until moment of release.  Most athletes in the Open Stone use either the "glide" or "spin" techniques to put the stone.

 Weight Throw

The weights are made of metal and have a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain.  They can weigh either 28 or 56 labs. 

Bag Piping

Always love the bag pipe bands Especially when the leader (Band Major?) is in full regalia.

Dance

The dancing was from a local Scottish dance school.   The kids did an admirable job.

Various Scenes

Just a couple images from around the place.