The summers at the sanctuary begin with the grass and plants an almost unnatural neon green. The plant life boastfully emerges from the earth looking impossibly fresh. The photos we take during this period are beautiful with the chimpanzees’ dark hair contrasted against the bright green of the grass on Young’s Hill.
Foxie:
Jody with some wild plant she’s harvested:
This period of lush green that comes on so strong, holding the promise of electrified life, sometimes feels like a fleeting moment. As soon as summer begins, the precipitation seems to come to a halt. The grasses release their seeds and begin to fade, but they remain tall and the chimpanzees can hide and explore in this more wild landscape.
Jody:
Missy:
Annie:
Jamie in the foreground, Missy in the background:
Jamie:
With the threat of wildfire that arrives each summer, and to allow the chimpanzees to navigate the hill a bit easier, we (meaning J.B.) mows pathways that turn to amber streaks across the fading but stubborn green grass.
Annie (taken today):
Negra collecting her lunch from a forage set out on the hill (taken today):
While the rich and deep green of early summer imparts a contagious sense of renewed life, there’s definitely a beauty with the changing landscape of each season. Just as the grass turns gold, the established bamboo plants along the irrigation lines have produced ambitious shoots that leaf out and offer greenery for many more months, which Jody clearly appreciates:
There’s something for every season, and I think that the chimpanzees appreciate what this sanctuary environment has to offer year-round. Yes, even as the seasons inevitable progress into winter:
What a lovely post Diana. The photos taken today remind me beach grass by the ocean. Love the photos of Annie and the profile of Jody on top. They all look so comfortable in their environment and this makes me happy. Young’s Hill is clearly HOME.
Is July the start of “fire season” and if so, when does the threat end? Must make you all worry just a little.
Thank you!
Ditto for me! It gives me joy to see the chimps so relaxed and doing whatever they want at that moment, apparently pleased with life then and there. A great gift you give them, Diana. Despite the work and the worry and all that goes with what you do, I expect you spend a good amount of time with a full heart as you watch them.
Francoise – perfectly said – all of our time is spent with very full hearts, even in the more stressful moments. And it means so much to all of us that these seven chimpanzees who we love so much have supporters from all over the world who care about them and follow their lives!
Into September for sure. Really, since the Taylor Bridge fire at the sanctuary, we don’t relax fully until winter. It’s still pretty fresh in our memories.
Glad to see Negra outside….
another wonderful informational/story post w/STUNNING photos. you’all have turned into magnificent story tellers and photographers. i look forward to your posts each day and pass the posts on to friends who have now fallen for The Seven.
Thank you so much, Leslie! It’s really great to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for caring about the chimpanzees and in turn getting other people to care about them.
Beautiful story of the seasons Diana, with beautiful photos to match. They look so natural and at home, especially sitting in the tall grasses on the hill. They truly are in their natural habitat now. Thank-you for this.
I’ve been away in spirit for a long while now but visit the blog when I can because the 7 are always in my heart. I never could of imagined what losing both parents in such a short period of time would be like and I can only think sometimes, of what it must have been for these precious 7 beings, of their tremendous loss and suffering for so many years. Can I even equate mine with theirs? No, I can’t but I will be forever grateful to you all at the Sanctuary for trying to make up even a little bit of that loss for them.
Chris
Chris, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Our hearts go out to you with your losses. It’s never easy, and there is no timetable for grief. I think most chimpanzees are better at living in the moment than humans are – it’s definitely something that I need to work on myself, and the chimps certainly provide inspiration.
Thank-you Diana…And you’re right…there is no timetable for grief, even though it changes through time and (hopefully), lessens it’s hold in time. Even though with elderly parents, it’s inevitable…just not your own. I truly cannot imagine the loss of a child, like most of the chimps have had to endure and not just once. And yes, they truly are an inspiration after all they’ve been through but it is obvious they have moved beyond their hardships and trauma, thanks to all of you. 🙂