Today was unseasonably warm. The girls took off shortly after breakfast for the first of many patrols.
Burrito, on the other hand, cursed the mild weather and set out to eat every last patch of snow before it was too late.
Recently, the Washington State Department of Transportation released an image from their camera on Sherman Pass that some say looks like Sasquatch. If I didn’t know any better, I might think it was Burrito in search of more snow.
One of highlights of each day for the chimps is the moment the two groups are “reunited” at a distance. During the colder months, the outdoor enclosures are closed off at night so they can only call back and forth to each other through the walls. But each morning they meet again, and the displaying and flirting can be intense.
Here, you can see Mave and Willy B entering the chute while the Cle Elum Seven emerge from the greenhouse onto Young’s Hill with the remains of their lunch.
Burrito, Jody, Jamie, and Missy:
Burrito, Jody, Foxie, Jamie, and Missy:
Foxie and Jamie (look how gray Foxie is getting!):
Negra and Foxie:
Eventually both groups begin to resume their normal activities, checking on each other from time to time until they eventually go to bed for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll go through the whole routine again.
Hope S says
The “sasquatch” in the Washington State DOT image is no where near as HANDSOME as our Burrito Chimpanzee. Burrito has shorter legs and L-O-N-G-E-R arms. And Burrito’s head faces more forward. The “sasquatch” maybe cute, but he is not as gorgeous as Burrito. <3
Kathleen says
I believe Burrito is sneaking out now that he feels better. Too bad WSDOT busted him on camera while foraging about. Very funny J.B.! I think that last photo of Burrito trotting bipedal across the hill with that gorgeous chartreuse bamboo backdrop is a new favorite of mine. He’s a guy on a mission
These two groups are very funny, I really enjoy hearing about their distant interactions.
Linda C says
Lol, they’re back to clockwise, Kathleen!
Jo Lathrop says
In light of not too distant disruptions, it seems just perfect that they call to one another!! That’s as good as it gets!! That must reassure them and comfort them. You all do such a wonderful job (and I’m sure it’s not always an easy job) and I send love and hugs to you all…
Linda C says
Hey, not very gentlemanly to point out Ms. Fox’s gray hair! She’s had a stressful year, good sir! 🙂
Lol, when I was in Portland, I was surprised to see Sasquatch magnets for sale….didn’t realize the area was the epicenter of Sasquatch activity! Gonna go check out the story! What’re your thoughts, JB? Are you a believer?
Kathleen says
On my trips to WA I found and purchased some very cool Sasquatch magnets. Port Townsend had the best ones. : )
sandy says
have the new 3 been out on the hill yet?
Linda C says
I think they’re still lot feeling it.
We’re all so anxious to see it, I’m sure they’ll get us some good video when it happens! They wouldn’t let is down!