The chimps’ home is changing quickly with the arrival of October. Stormier skies brought an occasional smattering of rain off and on today and the suddenly colder nights are bringing out the autumn colors around the sanctuary:
All the chimps (except Negra who has now deemed it too cold) took multiple walks around the hill today, enjoying the off and on sun and cooler temps. Here’s Annie taking in the stormy view:
The Yakima River which runs below the sanctuary:
We were just saying today how much we love the produce available in the autumn and I think it’s safe to say the chimps (and some of their animal neighbors) would agree. The chimps have been enjoying a full fall bounty today with roasted butternut squash, roasted pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, leeks, pears (fresh from the property orchard) and peaches. Negra pretty much loses her mind over pumpkin and we think Annie was food squeaking more than we’ve ever heard! I love that the chimps have so much to look forward to with each season.
The pears and apples in the property orchard are heavy with more fruit than seven chimpanzees could possibly eat – though I’m sure they’d give it their best! But the local deer, squirrels, birds, coyotes and of course, Ellie, the wild-ish elk are taking advantage of stocking up for the coming winter on what’s left over:
A hawk drifting on the wind currents above the orchard:
Elderberries:
It sometimes seems that Jamie isn’t one to forage for wild greens and plants as much as her friends (though she loves meal forages). Whether it’s just not her preference, or perhaps because she was raised in a human home the first nine years of her life and isn’t as interested in foraging for wild stuff, who knows? But one thing she absolutely loves, are wild cattails. We have an abundance surrounding the pond on the property and often put them out for forages on Young’s Hill:
Somehow Jamie always seems to find one that has been out there for a few days and got missed so she’s been enjoying the last of the riches:
I had to laugh at this one of Jamie and her “cattail broom.” After all, ’tis the season for Jamieween! (We celebrate Jamie’s birthday on Halloween and it’s probably the biggest party of the year!).
We have some old structures on the property and a favorite is this former bunkhouse, particularly this time of year. The chimps have a view of it from their greenhouse:
Happy October everyone! I am mad crazy for October and Halloween and personally, I think it should be October for at least nine months of the year. 🙂
