We all know that Missy is an accomplished athlete.
She tirelessly outruns the fastest Gators, deftly balances on the thinnest tightropes, and snatches the juiciest tomatoes from her opponents with ease. Her cunning and skill have been lighting up the blog for years. This stocky, springy chimpanzee truly know no bounds.
All of her feats are even more impressive when you take her age into account. We will be celebrating Missy’s 47th birthday at this time tomorrow!
How does one stay so energetic and spry into their late 40s? Missy’s keys to success seem to be regular practice and excellent nutrition. Athletes have to “limber up” before strenuous physical activity so that they’re ready to perform when the stakes are highest, and Missy never forgoes an opportunity to sharpen her skills. The tomatoes she acquires along the way are just extra motivation to keep moving.
Today, we scattered an exciting “pregame” lunch of fresh veggies for the chimpanzees to forage in their grassy outdoor enclosure. This afternoon’s spread wasn’t nearly as exciting as tomorrow’s party forage will be, but Missy and company spent a good amount of time searching for produce in the tall grass. Afterwards, they returned to the Greenhouse to engage in another of Missy’s favorite activities: social grooming.
Jody:
Jamie:
Missy:
Jamie:
Negra:
Missy grooming Jamie:
Jamie being groomed:
Burrito:
Be sure to check in with us tomorrow to wish Missy and her companions a happy, tomato-filled 47th birthday!
(In case you want to review the record books, here are links to Missy’s most recent birthday celebrations: 44th, 45th, and 46th.)
P.S. Here are some bonus images from this morning: Cy and Gordo hanging out in the shady Oakwood Greenhouse!
Gordo:
Cy:
Happy Birthday Eve Missy. May you always be young at heart.
Who doesn’t love a pregame forage on a sunny day?! Missy is amazing. That top photo of her says it all. I look forward to the birthday celebration tomorrow!
Great photos of everyone. Thanks Anthony.
Thanks, Kathleen!
My heart jumped a nit at reading “tall grass”, but it’s been a good summer. Not one slitherer to speak of!
Farmer Jo wins again–how do you plan on topping this tomorrow!?
Looks like Neggie chose dining in over takeout.
Stay cool, all!
We’ve seen some rattlers in the area but nothing inside the perimeter! We know they’re around but the exclusionary fence has done a great job this year.
Thank goodness!
Thanks for updating us!
Thanks, Anthony! Looking forward to tommorrow’s festivities…I must say, if I had half of Missy’s sprightliness I’d be much better off. How on earth does she manage those balancing feats on the ropes? And the pic of Jamie balancing her adorable butt on the little yellow chair is so delightful. Well, they all are, of course!
Thanks, Marya! We were all chuckling when Jamie perched on the tiny yellow chair. 🙂
Yes, it’s adorable — what? She didn’t want to be on the actual ground to eat her goodies? So charming!! But you know, then I thought I recall that Jamie was raised in a human home and I wonder if she had a little chair like that. If so, I’m SO glad her chair is now outdoors in the sun and breeze and with her chimp friends!!
Great pictures Anthony. I laughed at the one of Burrito because with the block in his mouth he looks like a duck at first glance. He literally cracks me up. It’s going to be exciting and a fun day for the Chimps tomorrow celebrating Missy’s birthday. I just know she’ll find all the tomatoes and she’ll eat them in. peace. Happy Birthday Missy, it’s your day tomorrow so ENJOY!
Thanks, Janet! It was a classic “Burrito” moment, toes sticking out and head bobbing playfully with a wooden toy between his jaws! 🙂