It’s amazing what a little wind can do to make a perfect day. As J.B. mentioned the other day, due to some fires to the north and east of us, we have been experiencing some hazy days.
This is a photo I took as I was walking into the Chimp House in the morning yesterday.
Yup. I said that was taken in the morning.
However, this morning was a completely different scene. After some wind rolled through last night, and an ongoing breeze in the morning, this is what the sky looked like as I was opening up the Chimp House.
This weather seems to have had an impact on the chimpanzees’ moods. Everybody in Cy’s group was playing when we walked in, either with a group mate or caregiver. And everybody in Jamie’s group was nice and relaxed this morning. In fact, as I was performing my morning checklist, Jamie was in a nest perusing through one of her favorite bonobo books.
When their group gained access to Young’s Hill, Jamie found a pre-breakfast in the form of a hidden giant Kong from yesterday.
This gave us the inspiration to let the chimpanzees have lunch forage on Young’s Hill and The Bray!
Jamie with a mouth full of mini bell peppers and hands full of endives.
Foxie and Burrito enjoying the forage together.
Missy
Side note: When I first saw this photo, I was instantly reminded of Josh at Center for Great Apes. Josh is Missy’s son and you can kind of see who he got his eyes from, don’t you think?
Photo courtesy of Center for Great Apes’ Instagram.
Back to today’s blog.
Missy heading off to collect more of her lunch forage.
On the other side of the sanctuary:
Gordo watching Diana, J.B., and Sabrina put out their lunch forage.
Terry grabbing some onions placed on the top of a structure.
Lucky surveying the area for a food cache.
Rayne eyeing her next position.
Willy B trying out a lackadaisical approach to foraging.
One of the most difficult parts about planning parties is the weather. Though today is a beautiful day and tomorrow’s forecast is similar, we can never really tell which way the weather (or wildfire smoke) will go. When planning parties, I plan several different variations just in case of bad weather or other like circumstances. So here’s to hoping that tomorrow is as bright and beautiful as it is expected to be for Missy’s 48th!
Are you tired of looking at so many photos? Sorry, but here are some more bonus photos!
Mave relaxing the other day.
Wondering where Dora is? See that foot?
It’s Dora’s foot!
And Gordo right next to them taking it easy.
Finally, enjoy this series of Burrito enjoying a popsicle yesterday!
And if 100 photos isn’t enough, enjoy the extra long video!
Sorry. That play session happened as I was finishing up the blog. Every time I tried to cut it down to a reasonable length, I couldn’t get myself to do it. There’s so much that is happening in that play session between Honey B, Rayne, and Lucky, I just left most of it intact!
I hope you enjoy watching the sisters play!
thank you for sharing everything, Chad. :blush:?
There can’t be too many chimp pix, it isn’t possible! Bring them on!!
Wow that’s a video right there! Just watching Burrito suck a popsicle from Beginning to End:grin:….Hope more Beautiful days ahead:rose::rainbow:
What Mary said!
I am relieved to see a clear sky above the Sanctuary after the nearby fires. When Jamie looks content (and Bubba knoshes on a popsicle), all is well with the world…
It sounds as if Rayne and Beezus have the giggles. Even without audio, I could infer Terry sending forth a mighty raspberry during his forage.
so much hilarity! :heart_eyes:
Missy has good looking kids.
Thanks for all of that, Chad!
I was thinking the same as I mowed the lawn today. It was in the 70s, bright, sunny, breezy. Perfect!
You even got a Jamie smile in the morning!
I noticed what was in today’s forage, and thought “they’re saving the tomatoes for Missy’s day!”
Fingers crossed!
Thanks for the play session video and lots of photos on a beautiful day. Josh is a real “eyeful.”
Great pictures and the play session was one of the best (and longest) I’ve seen in a while. Oh how I love that girl, Honey B. Missy’s son, Josh, is very handsome and does have his mothers eyes.
No such thing as too many photos or too long of a video!! What a great way to start a day-thanks so much!
This is my first time actually commenting on the blog itself, but I always look forward to these blogs and seeing what the chimps (and the cattle) are up to.
Hard to believe Missy is 48! Seems like the sanctuary must be situated on top of the fountain of youth.
Burrito eating a popsicle is just the cutest thing. I love his facial expressions.
Never, ever too many photos!! Thanks for ALL of this, Chad, especially the video of the epic-somersaulting-sisters-shenanigans-play-session. Hysterical. And I totally appreciated the perspective of the sanctuary camera overhead view prior to your closeup filming. Very funny comparison.
Oh, and ten minutes of video is in no way a long video. Thanks for just letting it roll!
Lastly, thank you for including the link to the page on Josh. The Center For Great Apes wrote an excellent bio on him and his friends. Six degrees of separation from Wildlife Waystation!
There can never be too many photos!!!