Missy invited me to play chase up the hill this afternoon. When we reached the top, she veered off into the tall grass with a look of determination.
She climbed atop one of the mounds.
And then walked out onto the log bridge.
From there, she scanned the area.
Then she disappeared into the weeds.
When she emerged, it was clear she had found what she was searching for: a yellow goatsbeard flower and a handful of prickly lettuce leaves.
With an equal sense of purpose, she marched through the grass to Jamie’s Tower.
She climbed the ladder and perched on a support.
There, overlooking the river canyon, she munched on her prickly lettuce.
When she was done, she met up with her best friend, Annie, and returned to the chimp house, saving the flower for later.
there was a well executed plan………….:slight_smile:
JB, put in a few sentences and pics with a general intro to Missy, a tiny adventure, and you’ve got the makings of a good children’s book!
Glad there was still some prockly lettuce left for Ms Missy!
“There, overlooking the river canyon, she munched on her prickly lettuce.”
From LEMSIP to this. Miracles happen.:pray:
And this story has a (well-deserved) happy ending.
Well put Paulette, it is really a miracle that Missy could experience a day like this.
I agree with Linda. This makes for the perfect little bed time story. Delightful! Thanks J.B.!
Knowing how much The Seven enjoy prickly lettuce, I googled it to see if it’s edible for us human primates. It is! Best to eat young leaves as it gets bitter. So now I’m curious if Missy and friends enjoy eating it in both stages. And do they enjoy eating the blooms?
Hi Kathleen – Like us, they seem to prefer them in the spring.
I love reading the daily stories of the chimps and their explorations, antics and friendships. I agree that a children’s story, or many, could be written.
JB What a wonderful morning for both of you. And a joy to the rest of us as we read and imagine what your hike was like versus Missy’s! Thank you for the great photos and imagery.
Thank you J.B.
What a lovely story of knowing exactly what you want, how to get it, and enjoying it in your favorite quiet spot savering the best for last….
She is something else that little but fiers Ms. Missy.
And we all know that you have absolutely nothing else on your hands :wink:……why don’t you write a book?
Speaking of time on your hands and jobs to do; Are you getting enough people to do the job for the fencing?
Hi Marianne – We’ll see! I’ve got some good groups lined up for today and tomorrow so we hope to make some progress this weekend.
That is wonderful news…
Thank you for answering.
Dearest Champions of CNW , I saw the Louisiana Chimp Haven story & appalled they are allowed to continue the cruel & unsupervised process to euthanize & wish all the chimpanzees escaped,not just 2. The Chimp Haven was given only a federal warning ,but should be heavily fined & closed! Diane, I wish to acknowledge you & your entire staff for their unending devotion & selfless time& care they give each & every day to the sanctuary. Yes, the chimpanzees are strong, innovative,& sometimes devious ,but the bond& trust you all have developed between humans & ” our related humankind” makes this world a better place. From the depths of my heart, thank you all. ( sorry i am about 4 days late sending this)
I’m so impressed with all the photos of Missy’s adventures! That she can relish in the freedom to find her prickly lettuce, “capture” the perfect lovely yellow flower for later, and balance herself on the edge of that board while on the structure — all of it is just fabulous. I’m so happy she can venture forth into tall grasses and onto logs and address her own wishes in the wonderful outdoor spaces of the sanctuary. And I love Annie’s face peering forward in the corner of that shot, JB! Missy reminds me of Foxie in how gently she’s carrying that flower and Foxie’s troll dolls so gingerly dangling from her mouth the way she “carries” them.