Today has been one of those days where it feels both like so much has been happening and not much at all has been happening. After a gorgeous morning fit for foraging for breakfast outdoors yesterday, we had a wild spring storm of high winds, rain, and snow overnight. So while today dawned with mostly bright blue skies and wild, cold winds, we were back to the toasty greenhouse for breakfast. Though it hasn’t been a perfect day for outdoor chimpanzee activities, this human has to say it’s been a glorious day. Every once in a while I’d catch someone like Annie or Jody, just sitting outside on their own. Sometimes we just need to feel the elements. It’s exhilarating.
Our construction friends arrived en masse bright and early, everyone working hard to finish the expansion as soon as possible. Since they arrive a little before chimp house staff do, Honey B, Mave and Willy B were up and extra-ready for breakfast. Maybe because they knew they had an a busy day of supervising workers ahead:
The three also decided some strong words needed to be had with one another, well, specifically Honey B and Willy B. I was folding blankets (oh, I digress, but did I mention one of our dryers completely refused to power on today? Imagine normally having two washers and two dryers running from the second we walk in each morning until the second we leave at night to just get through the day’s laundry unexpectedly being squished down to the use of one dryer. As I type this, I can hear poor Chad’s footsteps behind me going back and forth from laundry to laundry, but we’re going to make it!). Anyway, back to the folding…I suddenly heard Honey B angry screaming at the top of her lungs and arrived to find her furious with Willy B, flailing about and then chasing him into the chute, biting at his heels, literally. So we humans put cleaning on hold and spent a bit of time observing from the sidelines to make sure things were resolved with minimal problems. They were.
The seven have added to the bubbling pot much of the day by yelling back at their neighbors, and if the neighbors were actually quiet, yelling extra loud to get a response. But outside of that, they’ve all enjoyed most of the day in the toasty greenhouse, grooming, playing chase with one another, and just soaking up all that magnificent sunshine minus the blustery wind.
After lunch, I caught Jamie just hanging out leisurely on top of a barrel, foot propped on the caging, arm resting in a firehose swing, peaceful, thinking whatever Jamie thoughts she was at the moment. I wish I knew. I asked if I could take a few photos to which she graciously agreed:
It’s somehow already time to prep dinner service for these ten incredible people. Honey B and Willy B seem to have worked out whatever needed working out as I can see them playing a slow motion game of chase…now chimpanzee laughter is ringing through the house as Mave got in on the action and is chasing Willy B. Honestly, I wish humans resolved their issues in a similar fashion. Speak your mind, express your feelings, just say what needs saying and then move on, things resolved for the time. (With maybe an occasional bite. Just kidding. But not really…;) ).
Tobin says
That doesn’t look like a lot of snow fell upon Young’s Hill; even so, I hope that Burrito the snow conneissuer (sic) was able to get a late-season wadge-ful before next Winter.
Marya says
Such a wonderful mixture of info, photos and descriptions, Katelyn. Thanks for taking the time post-laundry to share the day with us. Those people (the hairy ones) and their antics!I agree about the resolution of conflict that can include posturing and noise and moving on with not too much aggression that results in harm (well, mostly anyhow). The photos are great!
Linda C says
Hi Katelyn!
I don’t know about biting, but some adversity paddles now and then would help!:P
Hope the dryer gets sorted out soon. Have a great week!
Francoise says
Another great post, but I ask, why did I think of Calvin, of Hobbes fame, when you described the 7 yelling louder because the 3 were being quiet? Very Calvinish behavior, I venture to say.
Edie Bruce says
Yes, Katelyn, I agree! Sometimes just a little bite seems like it would work well in some disagreements!
I love these photos of Jamie. You’ve captured her softer side.
Kathleen says
Another *you never know what to expect* day at CSNW! Hope your dryer issue is an easy repair and not the need for an all new dryer. So many significant working parts keeping this little sanctuary chugging away. Keep us posted…..
Speaking of significant parts….Jamie. Sigh. My beloved Jamie has become a significant part of me.
Debi says
Are you sure Willy “B” & Honey “B” aren’t brother & sister as they seem to have a friend or foe relationship (Ha) like youthful siblings…Willy B sure received Honey B’s wrath when he he dare tried helping himself to HER food, so she retaliated by screaming loudly, & then angrily trying to hit him with the table she launched at him, & the next thing you know, they’re play wrestling…I’m curious what big ole Willy B did yesterday to make Honey B start chasing him & trying to bite his feet…Anyway, I’m glad they quickly resolved whatever the crux of the annoyance was about…I wouldn’t be surprised to hear they spent today grooming each other……
Never a dull moment at sanctuary… Ha…