The Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees and their relationship with cattails goes way back. In fact, I can’t think about cattails without thinking about Burrito covered in cattail fluff way back in 2008.
We have a couple of big ponds and some wetland areas around the property and the cattails look just beautiful right now, so Anna chopped some down to add to the chimps lunch forage on the hill today.
Jody in particular likes fresh cattails and she eats both the long green leaves and the brown flowers that remind me of corn dogs. After foraging for the lunch veggies, Jody collected as many cattails as her mouth could carry and headed for the greenhouse.
Meanwhile, Negra had the escher structure to herself and was enjoying all of the food I had scattered from top to bottom.
In fact, Negra climbed up higher than I’ve ever seen her go before!
Today, Negra brought a friend with her on her adventures – a green-haired Strawbery Shortcake doll.
After a good long time foraging, Negra too went back to the greenhouse. When she spotted Jody’s cattails, she decided she should take a couple. Being the Queen, Jody allowed this theft to happen.
Negra really has been a new chimpanzee lately. Not the food-stealing – that’s been part of her repertoire for a while, but climbing up high and staying out on the hill for a long time is new. She’s also been very playful with us caregivers. There is absolutely nothing better in this world than seeing Negra laugh and be happy and relaxed. She just continues to remind us that everyone grows into themselves on their own timescale. Welcome to the sanctuary, New Negra.
Can’t express what I feel in my heart upon reading this post. I am so happy to see Negra climbing high on the Escher structure, makes you wonder if it is the structure she likes (easier for her maneuver?) or is it just her new found confidence opening all the doors? Honestly, who cares, I am just so thrilled to be able to see photos of countless ‘firsts’ this year.
Your line “Welcome to the sanctuary, New Negra.” brought happy tears to my eyes. Yes! Welcome to the sanctuary, New Negra. (and thank you Jody for sharing!) XO!
Great photos! It takes some of us longer to find our comfort level. It’s wonderful to see the lovely Negra gaining new confidence.
It’s so wonderful to see Negra holding a Strawberry Shortcake doll. I don’t think I ever saw her with a doll. Also very happy to see her climbing higher and staying outside enjoying her doll and also those delicious cattails. She deserves all the happiness and fun. I look forward to your next letter. ?
As Kathleen mentions above regarding, “Welcome to the sanctuary, New Negra,” happy tears instantaneously. This whole post is so wonderful and special. Then again, the whole blog means so much to all of us. Thank you, Diana, for today’s post. Thank you all for the posts each and every day. A very special part of each of my days. Most sincerely.
Thank you for commenting and following the blog, Lisa! It means to know that you are out there and get so much out of the posts. Thanks to everyone who comments and reads the posts. Negra certainly has a way of tugging at all of our heartstrings. She’s an inspiration.
I am in total agreement with Kathleen’s comments. Additionally, I thank Diana for the reference to Burrito and his encounter with the cattail, circa 2008. For the longest time, I thought that the fuzz gracing his coat was the end result of a game he had played with a stuffed animal!
Ten years on, Negra and Jody both seem younger. How’s that for a miracle?