Palm Springs - Communty Centre and Y

It doesn't get much better than fresh squeezed orange juice in the hot tub as a start to the day. We decided to have a laid back day as we are going out to the Thursday night street market tonight. The only things on the agenda involved Bentley - he needed a walk at the dog park and was scheduled for obedience training in the afternoon.
I accompanied Eve and Bentley to the dog park at the community centre. This is a huge park area which, besides 2 dog park areas has a swimming pool, water park, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, picnic areas, a gymnasium and the "Y" building.
I walked a lovely meandering path around the area and it took about 45 minutes, with stops to take photos of course.

The Legends Memorial Baseball Diamonds had columns commemorating famous baseball
players who had resided in the area. Most had retired here. There were two columns with
female baseball players, mostly from the war time years. This reminded me of Christine as
"A league of their own" is one of her favorite movies and some of these women played for the
Rockford Peaches.

In Palm Springs, as it is in a mountain valley, every vista has a beautiful background of chocolate and taupe rugged mountains. I find myself noticing the foreground, a building, plant, etc and then my attention is drawn away to the magnificent background.

Lawns, trees and the wonderful backdrop.

California, and much of the U.S. for that matter is experiencing a long drought. A drought that has people discussing having to make choices between people, agriculture, fish etc as recipients of this scarce resource. Given that fact it is amazing to see grass being watered, fountains and lakes in this desert area. It is, however, quite beautiful.

The walk took me past sculptures:

A series of ponds surrounded by ducks and sunning turtles:

I think they are painted turtles

Definitely a snapping turtle

Not sure what this guy is, here's a challenge to the birders in the audience but I was about 2 foot from him. Seems it is a black crowned night heron, thanks to the Jane St birders for identification.

Final picture for the post.

One of Bentleys's friends from the dog park.