It's hard work having fun sometimes. We were up at 6:30 to head up to Morongo Valley to join the twice-weekly bird count. We wondered if the experience could measure up to last year's and weren't disappointed. Following the experts, we were treated to about 15 amazing bird sightings including the brilliant vermillion flycatcher, the bright yellow and black hooded oriole and a flock of dazzling bluebirds dancing in the air like butterflies. Such amazing colours in the drab world of the desert!
We returned to town in time to drop in at the College of the Desert Market where we sat and ate hot-dogs and drank down lemonade in attempts to cool off after spending money on "amazing bargains".
After a quick supper we headed up the winding Pines to Palm's Highway to join the Astronomical Society of the Desert and their monthly Star Party. We wondered if it would happen since the sky was overcast or cloudy for the most part but two society members were there with giant telescopes set up. We spent a chilly hour looking at stunning views of Jupiter's four moons, Mars' polar ice cap, our moon's ethereal crescent and shadowed craters, and Orion's nebulae nursery of stars. The volunteers are keen to encourage anyone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world and engaged us with stories and information until the clouds called the party off.
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