I had approximately 25 ideas for a blog post today, from the flighty and frivolous to the deeply profound (at least in my head).
This video is neither. Or perhaps it is both.
As one of her caregivers for more than twelve years, I can tell you that some of the best days in the chimp house are when Jamie is in a good mood, which seems to be the case more and more lately.
Not all of the clips in the video were from today. The one from today is the opening clip with Jamie wearing a troll scarf; the others were moments with Jamie that I had recorded on my phone that I have been hanging onto.
Right now, while the other chimpanzees are eating the last scraps of dinner, working on their food puzzles (nuts in kongs tonight), and gathering up their blankets for their nests, Jamie is sitting in the doorway that goes out to Young’s Hill, the outdoor habitat.
She might be waiting for the rain to subside so that we can go on another walk, or maybe she’s just making sure I remember that she’s the one who runs this place.
I just love Jamie.
Jane C Olinger says
Jamie is my girl as well. Sometimes mean or bossy, but always Jamie and always intelligent and innovative. The woman knows what she wants!
Has she made friends with the bovine contingent? She seemed to want to keep pace with them and they with her.
Regards,
Jane
Sherry P says
Thank you, Diana .. I was in need of a Jamie fix tonight. 🙂
Caroline says
Grooming is serious business and requires the utmost concentration! Thanks for including the beautiful cows, I would love to go for a walk with them. What is the sling like thingy hanging through their walkway, Is that to prevent elk or deer from going through?
Be well and stay safe,
Respectfully yours,
Caroline
Linda C says
It came up when they first switched pastures. IIRC, it distributes a solution on their backs that helps keep flies off.
Kathleen says
I have a deep admiration for Jamie. I love her too. There was something so cozy and intimate about the first part of this video with Jamie, in her troll scarf, sitting behind the rain splattered window, looking so cozy, snug, warm and safe — the tilt of her head (perhaps she is looking at herself in the reflections of the camera?), she looks so beautiful. She is beautiful but in this moment she looks beautiful in a way I haven’t seen before. She takes my breath away. Jamie. Fierce, wise, determined, brilliant, magnificently unique. And I am all the better for knowing her. I am guessing you had that one last walk before closing down the chimp house because that seems like a Boss Jamie move. You are so fortunate to share a walk with Jamie at the end of your day, but you know that. I am so jealous.
Thanks for sharing this compilation of your sweet moments with Jamie…. and Annie, and the four cows (Nutmeg is so handsome I can’t stand it!). I am sooooo jealous.
CeeCee says
I just love Jamie too !
I could watch her groom your boots all day.
Cracks me up when she’s really concentrating, she smacks her lips. 🙂
Betsy says
Lovely – so glad you kept the videos to share with us.
Judy says
What a vibrant and astonishingly deep girl. Great video compilation. Thanks for that slice of Jamie’s life.. and yes, the bovine .. Nutmeg especially.. are magnificent as well.. They are the better for having Jamie, you (and all) to walk with. That we out here can “walk” with you .. and the boss lady makes my day. Thanks Diana.
Elaine Reininger says
I love Jamie too and that first video part with scarf around neck and that sweet tilt of the head made me love her even more.
Linda C says
lol, Jamie does NOT believe that Annie’s bird noises are good accompaniment to boot grooming! Pity we can’t see the look on the face!
Diana, it looks like Meredith is still wary of the gates and the other device?