It was day filled with the abundant kind of beauty, joy and excitement that only spring can bring. The chimpanzees enjoyed a special treat of their first taste of lilacs for the season and everyone loved them!
Negra was moving so fast, and had so many, I was barely able to capture any photos of her:
Lilacs are a brief, but glorious treat this time of year. They are also a Mother’s Day tradition here at the sanctuary. We always have a special celebration to honor all of the chimpanzee and bovine mamas and their children, and it’s also the day we celebrate Jody’s honorary birthday. So this was a warm up to the amazing day we have planned for Mother’s Day and Jody’s birthday this Sunday!
Jody:
Burrito was enjoying a nice handful until…
…his good friend, Foxie, came by to ask if he might be willing to share (since she had finished hers). Burrito was a gentleman and left them to Foxie and went off to find what was left over:
Jamie seemed to be thoroughly relishing her flowers:
Her face <3
Negra:
After enjoying their lilac appetizer, the seven had a lunch forage on the hill.
Annie:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Burrito:
Jody and her banana leaves:
Negra taking in the view:
Missy was a tough lady to capture in photos today, but she seemed to enjoy everything the day had to offer.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, Mave, Honey B, and Willy B are at least initially pretty skeptical of much that we offer them food wise. Honey B offers her classic dead pan stare and purses her lips tightly together while looking at us as if to ask us just what it is we think we’re trying to pull by serving such a crazy thing. I will gently poke her lips as I food grunt, but she won’t budge! But today I did get her to try ONE tiny flower and I was so excited when she asked for the rest! But she promptly found a better use for them and began nesting with them instead! The joy of abundant choice:
The three were busy today playing chase with each other and the humans all through their new home and spent a lot of time napping in the warm spring sun and cool breeze from the comfort of their outdoor chute. Willy B enjoyed a nut forage in the courtyard, watched Orangutan Island, and took a nice nap in the sun while being groomed by Mave.
And last but not least, our little cattle family, Betsy, Nutmeg, Honey and Meredith were moved over to their spring pasture today! Jamie supervised, naturally:
It’s so nice to look out from the chimp house and see them out there again! There was some great video and photos of the spring event captured which will most likely be showing up on the blog later in the week!
Happy spring all!
As soon as I saw the Lilacs I did a double take thinking it was Jody’s birthday! (A year of Covid lockdown and I seem to never be sure what day it is.) How fun that chimps have a lilac warm up day, Negra must be beside herself!! She looks gorgeous with her mouthful! Funny how Honey B, Mave, and Willy B are so finicky about new foods. I hope by adding the sweet scent of lilacs to Honey B’s nest her head will be full of the sweetest dreams.
SO happy the Moo Crew has access to the Spring/Summer pasture. Thank goodness Jamie was there to ensure everything ran smoothly. Whew. And looks as if the paparazzi were out in force.
Oh, Burrito can be such a gentleman, but those pictures of Jamie and Foxie! Priceless! It is always so heartening to see photographs and video of the Cle Eluminati enjoying the sweet tastes and smells of the foliage from their land.
The “Cle Eluminati”….you’ve outdone yourself, Tobin!
What a wonderful celebration of Spring. Happy to see the Moo crew enjoying a change of scenery with Jamie supervising of course. They’re all looking fantastic, good food, frolics in the fresh air and lots of TLC….life couldn’t be better. Burrito deserves an extra treat for being a gentleman, and Foxie’s smile says it all!
Lilacs are my favorite flower, too! Although, I am not as adventurous as Jamie – I have never eaten them. But the idea of lying in a bed of their sweetness, fills me with happiness! Happy Spring, little ones!
Wouldn’t a nest made of lilacs help with a wonderful, fragrant sleep! Lilacs are my favorites, too, and maybe I’ll spread some on my bed as well.
I still remember lilacs being outside my bedroom window when I was small! Thanks for the beautiful photos Katelyn! I love Jamie’s sweet smile of satisfaction, as well
BEAUTIFUL pictures! Made me smile. But the picture of FOXIE.. now that one made me literally LOL. Her smile said to me.… “he he he 😉 I got him to give me his”