We sometimes refer to some of the chimps as “human-oriented” and others as more of a “chimp’s chimp.” Individual histories and personalities have Jamie, Burrito and Foxie choosing to spend more time interacting with the humans than their other family members, Missy, Jody, Negra and Annie. While the latter folks are occasionally interested in engaging with the humans, it’s more their preference to spend time with their chimp family. And as much as we love interacting with the chimps when they choose to, their relationships with one another are the priority.
All of that said, over the years the “chimps’ chimps” have shown increasing interest in interacting with the humans. Negra could watch us dance for ages, Missy now leaps on the caging in excitement before running off for a game of chase with her caregivers and enjoys long grooming sessions with us, Jody spends more time greeting us throughout the day, and Annie, well, Annie’s continuing to bloom and grow in pretty much all areas of her life as you may have read before.
I’ve often felt that Annie shares many similar interests with Jamie. She’s curious, intelligent and creative and loves to check out new projects and enrichment. Where in the past she was often hesitant to do so could have been because of her less dominant position and Jamie typically taking things over, and maybe it’s just that now that she is feeling more comfortable in her own skin, safe and secure, she finally has the space to follow her interests and express herself, no longer having to look at the world around her through the filter of anxiety and fear. Whatever the reason, she is a pure joy.
Today I decided to see if she was interested in taking some “selfies” and checking herself out on the iPhone with the camera screen turned toward her. As we all are with dear Annie, she appeared quite mesmerized with her reflection:
Nicole Moore says
These pictures are amazing. Thank you for sharing them.
CeeCee says
Wow, that last photo with her fingers
Is “award winning” !!
Love it, Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jo says
As I am mesmerized with her as well….TY fir beautiful photos and observations ~ you guys are so awesome!! Hugs to you all….
sharon says
wow amazing, such great close up shots… and you can see how they now trust their humans…. so love the pictures you take and share with us to follow your web paqe…. beautiful Annie
Kathleen says
Annie is so beautiful — why wouldn’t she want to admire her reflection! : ) Great photos and I enjoyed the links in your copy too, fun and still interesting revisiting the older posts! Tell Annie I love her!
lisa says
beautiful, beautiful annie. perhaps she now knows that she truly is beautiful !!!
Chris says
Annie…Dreamboat Annie 🙂 Love her!
Madeleine says
So sweet. Such deep and soulful eyes.
Francoise Vulpe says
Well this got me crying. To see Annie so up close, peering at herself – into herself? – is amazing. To see her nails and get the most remote idea of what it would like to touch one. What a sweet and beautiful spirit. THANK YOU!
Too bad you can’t give her a manicure. Maybe Jamie will?
Arlene and Michael says
I too find it so interesting and amazing to see her up close – her hands and fingernails! Thank you for the pictures:) She is beautiful.