Today’s itinerary is, per usual, quite full.
Our staff is staying busy with ongoing social integrations between the two former Waystation groups, regular cleaning and organizing in the Chimp House, and special projects around the sanctuary.
In place of a wordy update, I’m just going to upload some photos I’ve taken of the sanctuary residents basking in the warm autumn colors (and crisp October breezes).
CarolR says
Stunning photos as always Anthony. The bovines are looking so well and I’m envious of their wonderful hair styles ….after long lockdowns here in Australia, and hairdressers closed, I can’t hope to compete in the glamour stakes! When do you start supplementing their feeding? That beautiful rainbow must lead to the pot of gold which is the sanctuary for all of the animals who call it home.
Anthony says
Thanks, Carol!
The cattle are still growing out their winter fuzz, but those shaggy polls on top of their head never change! We call Nutmeg’s a “man-bun.”
The American West had a severe drought this year so the pasture was virtually toast by mid-June. We started supplementing the cattle with grass hay in July, which was much earlier than we would have liked to! They were still able to browse along the creek and fencelines, but it’s more of an enrichment activity than a source of sustenance for them.
As for the rainbow, my estimate is that the end of the rainbow was somewhere on the other side of Highway 97. ๐
Maureen says
I KNEW this was you, Anthony! Haven’t even read the blog yet. What a gorgeous rainbow photo- also why I knew it was your blog. :kissing_smiling_eyes:
Anthony says
Thanks, Maureen! I spent the whole morning pitching title ideas to Anna and Sam and I think they were going to kick me out of the sanctuary if I didn’t shut up. :laughing:
Susan says
What a beautiful group of pictures featuring the beautiful bovines. Thank you for the blogs – they are great!
Anthony says
I’m glad you enjoy them, Susan!
Maureen says
OK, now I’ve checked out the post. Your photos are amazing. I have no doubt the one of Annie and Jody could win a prize, with the clarity and the brilliant focus on the grass and the perfect images of the chimps. JB and Diana may need to worry about losing you to your photography. We’d miss you, too.
Anthony says
Thanks, Maureen! I’m quite flattered by your praise.
Anna, Diana, J.B. can keep that in mind when they write my performance evaluation this year. ๐
Speaking candidly, CSNW empowers its caregivers to be storytellers and photography is my favorite medium for this. I’m ecstatic that my job lets us utilize artistic and technical skills to benefit the sanctuary’s residents. Honestly, I think professional photographers spend more time looking for work and keeping clients happy, whereas I get to work on the chimps’ schedules and there’s no pressure for the product to look a certain way. I’m totally happy with where I’m at!!!
Susan Casper says
What a beautiful group of photos featuring the beautiful bovines. Thank you for the blogs, they are great!
Anthony says
I’m happy that you enjoy them, Susan!
Patricia says
I love the pics of the bovine and Barn Kitty is beautiful…a nice addition to the animal menagerie!
Anthony says
Thanks! BK is more like wildlife than a true resident, since he can come and go at will, but we do supplement his diet and give him veterinary care when needed!
Nancy says
Beautiful images, Anthony. Just beautiful. Thank you!
Anthony says
Thanks, Nancy!
Cara says
Beautiful photos Anthony, thank you! And that rainbow, oh my :0!
Anthony says
The rainbow was so vibrant that Diana got on the radio to draw everyone’s attention to it! Of course, I grapped a camera and a wide-angle lens and rushed outside. I’m a sucker for interesting weather.
Kathleen says
Each and every photo simply outstanding. The image of Meredith, full body in front of the trees, is my favorite. She’s just magnificent. Her facial markings are so sharp and exact it looks as if they were painted on. How is it you rescued four of the most gorgeous bovines in the world?! And speaking of beautiful….Annie is just that, beautiful. She looks wild and confident and beautiful.
Anthony says
Meredith is such a beaut’! I love her dark mask.
And yes, Annie is perhaps one of the more “wild” chimpanzees (in terms of personality). She looks so independent and adventurous when she’s roaming around Young’s Hill and I love seeing her make the most of that space!
John Joseph O'Brien says
Love your pics. I just noticed the “hair swirls” between the bovines’ eyes.
Marya says
Ooohhhh, Anthony! Just am gobsmacked with these photos, and the rainbow took my breath away! Like others, I also love seeing these close-ups of the bovines so we can really see their expressions. What wonderful beings they are, and a great addition to the other species of all sorts (including the humans, of course!) at the sanctuary. Even the little cat seems quite a serious person in her own right. And the little fawn…we truly are blessed to be among such an array of wonderful beings. Gifts, all.
Anthony says
Thank you so much, Marya! The sanctuary truly is a unique place and I’m honored to regard it as one of my many homes. ๐
Tobin says
I enthusiastically second all of the above statements! It is heartening to see the Barn Kitty and to know that said feline remains on duty at the barn, keeping an eye on the Cattle and Annie and Jody in all of their glory.
Anthony says
Thanks, Tobin! I appreciate your enthusiasm, as always! ๐
BK is good at what he does… the local rodents and birds may even say that he’s too good at it! BK’s not very friendly but he chooses to hang out at the sanctuary for a reason; we’ve committed to keeping him safe as long as he chooses to stay!
Paulette says
Stunning photography!!! whoa! if those photos don’t make you fall in love with cows I don’t know what would. They are so beautiful! And is that little deer not the most precious thing?? She’s hoping for an invite to Jamieween. “Boy those animals sure do get treated nice at this place. Could I come live here?”
I need sanctuary too. Can I come live there?
Linda C says
Hi, Paulette!
Have you been through the archives? Know the story of Ellie/Buttons the elk? It can happen!
Anthony says
I’m going to re-word one of your sentences to make another truth: “If cows don’t make you fall in love with cows I don’t know if you can love anything.”:point_left_tone2::point_left_tone2: :cowboy:
Seriously, though… the cattle are amazing and I love trying to take portraits of them as they go about their days!
We don’t currently have any available playrooms for you to live in, Paulette, but maybe we could clear a front room for you to live in? I hope you like firehose vines and peanut butter dipper tubes.
Julie Medrano says
Looking at your pictures of the bovines (aka cows) makes me want to reach out and scratch a head or two!
Great photography.
Anthony says
scratch a head or two ***and boop their wet noses***
Thanks, Julie!
Judy says
Anthony… you grab us all even without your clever words and puns.. or with just a couple ๐ . All the photos are incredible.. but it’s Meredith’s nose that I fell in love with. Thank you.. as always.
Anthony says
Haha, thank you, Judy! ๐
Elaine Reininger says
Amazing photography. I think HONEY is just beautiful.
Anthony says
#1 Prettiest Jersey Cow! That golden fawn coat of hers is so amazing.
Linda C says
Thanks, Anthony, they’re lovely…the pot of gold under that rainbow provides a colorful contrast to the dark coats of Barn Kitty and the beautiful Annie.
Does Barn Kitty get some help with food in the winter?
Anthony says
Thanks, LC!
Yes, we supplement Barn Kitty with food whenever he’s hanging around. He’s actually a bit on the chonky side right now, but that seems okay given his free-ranging lifestyle. He’s lucky to have Dr. Erin and the care staff looking out for him!
Caroline says
Gorgeous photos! Autumn is the best and the rich golden backgrounds behind these beautiful critters are amazing, thanks for sharing!
Anthony says
Thanks, Caroline! The autumn foliage was so vibrant this year!