March 21st, The Good Life in the Desert...

We headed to The Living Desert, just outside Palm Springs, with Chelle and Becca to meet up with the Mom's Group for a day of fun in the sun...animal style!

We arrived at the giraffe area just in time for lunch, so we got to see these beautiful animals up close! Because they are rather slow moving and quiet, Sam didn't seem too excited by them, but Mommy was very impressed!

Sam was more interested in his elephant rattle that the long-necked beasts :-)

The giraffe pulled out all the stops, even stuck out its tongue...but couldn't get Sam's attention...
The giraffes shared a habitat with some ostraches (sorry for the spelling...I'm too tired to spell check!)It was quit hot at the Living Desert, although the forecast for Palm Springs was a high of like 27 C...but it is the desert and by the time we left (at 2pm) the heat had tired us out (plus the 3 hrs of walking helped!). Here is a leopard taking a drink (the picture was taken through a plexy glass barrier).Even the zebras saught some shade...I wonder if they have straw umbrellas in their native land, Africa? Hopefully we'll get a better look at the camels next time!
Sam kept hydrated by sipping water through a sippy cup (I had intended to get a shot of him eating his mashed banana at the lunch area beside the turtle exhibit, but didn't) A pretty pink flowering cactus...
Throughout the park, there were side paths that would take you through various desert gardens...one for Eastern Africa, one for the Mojave desert, etc...we stuck to the main path this time, but I hope to go back and seem the flora...
The butterfly exhibit was amazing! It is setup like a greenhouse, but instead of plastic or glass, the house is covered in a thin mesh to allow the air to circulate. Anyway, there were many types of butterflies...I didn't get a pamphlet :-( I do know, however, that Samuel was very excited to be out of his stroller and loved to watch the white butterflies (probably the most visible to him) flying around the purple plants. When he spied the fluttering wingsm Sam kicked his legs and swung his arms around and "talked" excitedly...it was wonderful to see him interacting with nature!

Before leaving the butterfly zone, guests had to check themselves in the mirror for "hitchikers..."

It was a great day (thanks to Chelle for bringing Sam and I along) that continued when we got home with our daily power walk with Tami and Ashton and ended with a quick visit at Bonnie's house...better rest up Sam! (The blankets are to protect Sam from the sun)