See if you can relate: you have a distinct feeling that something’s different, but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. That’s how I felt this morning.
It wasn’t overly warm, but it felt nice outside. With the weather in mind, I tried to be quick with the morning routine so that all of the chimps could get outside – Jamie’s group on the hill and Willy B’s group into the chute.
When I let Jamie’s group onto the hill, all seven chimps flowed out.
The first order of business was trying to see who was in the chute:
Even Negra, who often chooses nesting over going onto the hill made a short foray, in all of her Negra glory (I like the bonus Missy action shot in the first photo):
Watching Negra go outside made me realize what was so different about the morning. No wind!
Having lived in Kittitas County for a total of fourteen years, you would think the lack of wind would be something I’d immediately notice. It’s not the windiest place in the world, but it’s the windiest place I’ve ever lived.
Historically, spring, which we are rapidly approaching, is the most gusty. But this morning was as still as… (insert something that’s really still).
I think the chimpanzees noticed too.
Missy and Annie started a game of chase:
Burrito waited for me to catch up to him for a walk (me on the outside of the fence, of course):
Then he spotted Foxie and Jamie on one of the structures:
so he decided to join them instead:
I got some photos of Willy B, Mave, and Honey B in the chute, but they didn’t pass my approval for posting on the blog. When Mave went back inside, I followed her around to take a few other photos.
Get ready to sigh with affection at Mave’s gorgeousness…
Here she is in the lower portion of their current indoor area:
And here’s a close-up of Mave grooming herself in the mezzanine. There are many, many things about Mave to love (as the video from yesterday illustrates), but I discovered something specific with the photo below. All of those wonderful wrinkles below her eyes when she’s scrunching up her nose! Big sigh. I’m smitten all over again.
I posted another sigh-worthy photo of Mave on our Instagram account – go look if you didn’t catch it earlier.
Of the three new chimpanzees, Mave has the most pals right now.
Surprisingly, of Jamie’s group, Burrito, Annie, and Missy are tied for the fewest pals. Maybe someone reading this will give Honey B, Willy B, Burrito, Annie, or Missy some love by becoming their Pal?!
Don’t forget that the sanctuary will receive a bonus $20 for every new pal that signs up in the month of February and $10 for every new Bovine Buddy thanks to a generous donor. Share the love!