Today is a beautiful spring day here at the sanctuary and the chimpanzees have been enjoying a relaxing day in the warm spring breezes. Jamie was ready for a walk around Young’s Hill after lunch and after donning the Jamie-approved cowgirl boot, we set off. Everyone (with the exception of Negra who chose to enjoy the warm spring breeze from her nest in the sun) came out to spend time exploring. But Jamie and I decided to meander, stopping to check things out and wait for each other along the way.
This is not usually the case when walking with Jamie. She has a sense of purpose to everything she does and Jamie, being Jamie, typically determines the course and speed of the walk. She isn’t one to wait around for her caregivers (or the other chimpanzees) and does not appreciate any of us making up the route or getting ahead of her. But this spring day, with so much in bloom, she tolerated a little exploring on both our parts.
Once back inside, I found Jamie nesting in front of the barn doors, surrounded by her magazines and enjoying the warm breeze through the playroom.
She stayed like this for a long time, just gazing outside and enjoying the view into the chimpanzees’ garden. It was a rare treat to see her so relaxed and at peace.
She didn’t even mind the paparazzi.
We hope you are all enjoying equally beautiful and relaxing spring days, wherever you are!
It’s amazing how totally different her face looks with relaxed muscles and a sense of calmness. Glad she felt comfortable enough to “let down” for a while! What a beautiful day!
Katelyn — What a gorgeous post — both the writing and the images, especially the one of Jamie relaxed and unguarded!! Photos reflect the relationship of the photographer and the subject — you obviously play a role in helping Jamie relax!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Amy. I think we all feel pretty fortunate when we luck out and get a great photo. The chimpanzees are so beautiful. They are not always fans of having photos taken (which we completely understand) and we do our best to respect that, especially if they are relaxing. As with most things involving Jamie, it helps if I ask her permission first. Sometimes granted, sometimes denied. 🙂
God Bless these beautiful Chimps and their wonderful caregivers!
Have you been taking photography classes, Katelyn? Your last couple posts have had beautiful photos accompanying them.
It’s luck of the lighting (and permission of the chimps), Patti, but thank you! 🙂
Jamie certainly seems to have mellowed out, and calmed down a tad, Perhaps she feels so comfortable and ever so confident in her top chimp position, that she can relax. . . or at least for today ..
Spring is an extraordinarily beautiful time in WA state. Having lived in Vancouver,British Columbia for 18 months ,, it reminds of just how beautiful it was, WA is very much the same, it’ s perfect country for chimps, It gives them a taste of every season,, Considering they were in labs for decades, Cle Elum definitely does agree with all of the, Negra , certainly has come to love and appreciate the sun.
Actually, all 7 chimps have come to like and enjoy each season for what ever fruits or temperatures, and season appropriate activities and events it brings them. Especially Christmas, and individual Birthdays, Sanctuary truly has given them a sense of timing, schedules, routines, seasons, snow, rain, sunny days and the many, weather permitting activities.. They’ve come to know just how much the weather determines much of what they can do, or cant do, I’m sure they all have fun discovering it, After a long ,cold winter, Spring is such a refreshing season for all ,,
I love the pictures of the lupines and the bleeding hearts, and appreciate that the chimps have such lovely surroundings. Thanks for sharing this leisurely spring day with us!