It was a brisk fall day today, with periodic and most welcome appearances from the sun. In addition to the patrol that Jamie graciously invited Amanda and I on (after we figured out the proper footwear, of course), we decided to take advantage of that warming orb in the sky and set out a forage in both respective outdoor habitats.
If you aren’t quite sure who Amanda is, she introduced herself in last night’s Comfort & Joy Virtual Gathering presentation, which you can watch here!
Staff member Amanda and volunteer Amanda (we are doubly blessed with Amandas on most Mondays of late) prepared the forage, which consisted of a bunch of scrumptious fall-themed leftovers, including pumpkin, corn, and pomegranates. I suggested to the Amandas that they make a separate bowl for Negra because I doubted that she would venture outside in the windy 46 degrees.
I should know better than to doubt our Queen. Negra was lined up in the Raceway and was the first one on Young’s Hill. Her food grunts could be heard from all of the caregivers watching in delight as she happened upon the pumpkin and corn:
Missy made sure to check the forage hiding spots on high:
On the other side of the sanctuary, Terry was the first out on The Bray, quickly collecting a personal bushel of onions and demonstrating with his posture why J.B. has given him the nickname Meatball:
These days when the sun outcompetes the murmurs of winter-to-come are some of my favorite days at the sanctuary, and I think the chimpanzees feel the same.
Many thanks for sharing this video, Diana, I felt I was in the vehicle with you and Amanda enjoying the beautiful landscape and the chimps! It was a joy to see the chimps having a ball in the sunshine and the food goodies of course. What a great life at the sanctuary…wish I was there, but at least we can share the fun with you all across the miles.
I guess even the cold isn’t enough to stop The Queen from her beloved corn. First one out, to boot!
Speaking of boots, I always love seeing Jamie patrol. I love how demanding she is when it comes to caregiver footwear. I also just love seeing Burrito tag along.
And Terry Meatball!!! I love it, he’s just so big and fluffy, when he’s hunched over like that, he really is meatball-shaped.
Hi Amanda! It appears you are in with the ”In” Crowd if Jamie is inviting you to patrol with her and wear customized footwear! High honors indeed.
Negra will never cease to amaze me. I always smile from ear to ear when I read that Negra is the first one out. (Linda—I know you feel the same way on this one!) But with sunshine and corn on the menu how could she remain in her nest?! Meatball Terry. I guess Anna will need to include this description in his chimp ID!
Thanks for video, Diana. And I’m sending out a thank you to you, J.B., and Grace for the virtual gathering last evening. It was wonderful. Blown away with your vision and plans for the future of the sanctuary. Beyond exciting. I always say you are the little sanctuary that could. You think you can and you do, and then some!
?Yep, Kathleen, you beat me to it!
oh, the emojis! That was to be a :slight_smile:
The next best thing to hearing Neggie’s food grunts and barks is seeing her looking quite delighted on a sunny day on her hill, foraging for corn and pumpkin…it appears that, given her hobbit-like ways (she enjoys her second breakfasts), she is going to start her Thanksgiving feast early this year.
Speaking of food:. “Terry the Meatball”? I associate that Teeny, Tiny Troglodyte with a fruit that grows on bushes and which inspires him to exultate with Bronx Cheers.