We start each day with a walk around the perimeter of Young’s Hill. This is done as a precaution to ensure that the fence wasn’t somehow compromised overnight, but it is also a great time to check on the cows. While they are constantly on the move, on summer mornings they can often be found just above the chimp enclosure where they like to sleep. As I walked by this morning, the girls were in the middle of a grooming session.
Nutmeg didn’t get any of the love this time, but don’t worry – his mom always takes care of him. I did got photo of him the other day as he drank from the spring-fed stream that bisects that sanctuary property.
Willy B was feeling pretty adventurous again today. He’s getting pretty comfortable sitting on the grass if he is close to the structure.
If he ventures any further, he brings a chair with him for a sense of security, or perhaps so that he can get his feet off of the ground at a moment’s notice.
At one point, I saw him rolling the big white barrel away from the boardwalk. What on earth is he doing? Diana even called me on the radio to inquire as she watched from the mezzanine inside.
After pushing the barrel out into the courtyard, he pulled up a chair and sat down to enjoy the view.
After lunch, Diana was weeding the garden by the Greenhouse and gave out some of the prickly lettuce that she had pulled. This is one of the chimps’ favorite weeds. They can pick as much as they want from Young’s Hill but I think it tastes better when someone else does all the work.
Missy wasn’t in the mood for prickly lettuce, though – she wanted goat’s beard – so she took off to Young’s Hill to find some.
I know we’ve mentioned this before, but the salt and pepper hair on Foxie’s arms is really starting to lose its pepper.
Thankfully, age has not slowed her down yet.
While Foxie’s love of dolls is unmatched, others in the group can be seen carrying dolls from time to time, particularly in the summer. Just like the waistbands, it’s a seasonal thing. You know who really likes Dora the Explorer lately? This guy.
I think Willy B is setting up his office for working at home. Nice choice!
😀
Lovely pictures today, Thanks J.B.
Willy B is ready for something — a corner office?? — I’m just not sure what lol. Funny guy.
Oh my, I love all of these wonderful beings. But, I think I actually identify with Willy B!!!
Does Foxie have a cataract?maybe it was just the photo.Love Mr.B with Dora on their adventures.
I have often worried about that with Jo, Lynne, but I think it’s a question of the light reflecting in their eyes. The staff has their back to the Sun so the chimps are looking into the light. If you look closely enough, you’ll see the reflection of the staff person in their pupils.
thanks for the pics, JB. Hope Bubba is careful with that Dora–it looks like the French Dora, and we all know that the value of a French Dora is higher than any other Dora!
Did a certain round-bellied chimp get some of that prickly lettuce?
What a fun switch-a-roo seeing the cows grooming first thing, and what a fun way to begin your day. Nutmeg’s size still amazes me, as does his hairdo. The cows are so beautiful, thanks for the photos. Willy B is a big boy for such a small chair but I am happy to see he is now the self-appointed chairman of the board. Well played Willy. Foxie is now a silver Fox, her coloring only making her more beautiful as she ages and age, as she has shown us, is just a number. And I don’t believe I have ever seen Burrito with a doll in his mouth. I don’t believe I have ever seen Burrito without anything that wasn’t wooden in his mouth!?! This is so funny, and it just might make me love Mr. B a wee bit more (if that’s even possible!).
Just knowing that Missy could turn down the prickly lettuce offering, to take advantage of her “free will,” & instead, go foraging for goat’s beard on beautiful Young’s Hill, makes me feel such a sense of happiness…
Any photographs or stories shared about Betsy, Nutmeg, Meredith & Honey always give me an extra feeling of peace & tenderness toward all fourteen beautiful & innocent animals…
I love reading everyone’s comments! The cows are beautiful. Willy Bs barrel arrangement made sense to me, what’s a chair without a desk! Foxie’s arm looks like my head lol. All of em, I love all of the chimps and cows!