As caregivers, our days are often jam-packed. We’re constantly on the move: cleaning, doing laundry, serving meals, washing dishes, training, doing more cleaning, and currently working on introductions with George throughout the week. With so much going on, it can be hard to slow down.
Yesterday, while I was cleaning in Greenhouse 2, Gordo and Cy each came over separately to play chase and hang out by the shared window, between Playroom 2 and Greenhouse 2. It was such a nice pause in the middle of a busy day, a reminder of what this work is really all about.
Foxie is especially good at getting her caregivers to take a break and spend time with her. She has her own way of inviting you in: she drops her doll and makes raspberry sounds until you pick it up and hand it back to her. But, before she’ll take it, you have to play. She loves being tickled with her doll, seeing you hug her doll, playing “troll ski,” or having her head gently rubbed with her doll’s head. Once she’s satisfied, she takes her doll back and strolls off on her way.
These moments that pause the busy routine to connect, are what make the work so meaningful.
Here is a portrait series of Foxie with Disney Simea (from Moana 2):
Lucky resting on a bench:
Gordo checking himself out through my camera:
The ever so handsome Cy:
These photographs are a delight to look upon. I hope that you are able to share them with your portrait subjects. They all have such beautiful and interesting faces. Catching sight of the elusive Lucky is an added treat.
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Thank you Kelsi for all the great photos. Your breaks from work to play are social, meaningful and done with love. i cant imagine the years the chimps had no play. It is such a joy to know there is time for that now at CSNW.
Kelsi, you have the very best job in the world, but I don’t need to tell you that. Being up close to our darling chimps and giving them and receiving love and laughter; it just can’t get any better. Thank you for sharing your day and for the gorgeous photos. They could certainly grace the 2026 CSNW calendar.
Lucy’s doing her best JCPenny photo pose:)
That was what I used to say about the Li’l Bub photo!
WOW. Your photos leave me breathless and speechless. I love your words that accompanied them. Such intimate photos depicting your personal, priceless, moments with your close friends. You should frame each chimp, in a series, exactly as you have them in your scroll. Truly incredible.
Foxy looks amazing! (They all do!) Here I was thinking the name Foxie fit her because she is so adorable but now I see she is smart and sly like a fox as well. Sneaky girl using her dolls as a tool to get your undivided attention.
https://chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/new_web_foxie_fr1_getting_ready_to_run_toward_camera_kd_IMG_2375.jpg
Stunning portraits! ! I am so glad Foxie, low ranking chimp, has her way of attracting your attention. It is impressive how you all put playing with the chimps, when they ask for it, ahead of the many chores you have. I can imagine especially when you are running behind schedule how tempting it might be to ignore this chimp or that to get on with your work, but no, you do not do that. A lesson to us all as to what is really important, relatedness and responding to the needs of ohers.
Lucky is giving Mave competition in the “photogenic/ hs yearbook pose” contest!
Thank you Kelsi!
Yes, particularly fabulous photos today. I second the suggestion to use them for the new calendar.
What a ham for the camera! I believe she is purposely posing for you. Beautiful pictures!
What an amazing group of photos of an amazing group of Chimpanzees.
Thank you Kelsi
WOW! Wonderful collection today!!
Amazing photos! Absolutely love Lucky resting chin on her hand.