We humans talk about weather a lot, often marveling at even the predictable and banal. Like me today remarking at the wind gusts, “that’s some wind out there!”
The weather ties everyone to nature, even those who live in jungles made of concrete. It reminds us that we are not, in fact, in control of everything.
After a long and dry summer here at the sanctuary, the fall rains and cloud-filled days felt abrupt and at times a little oppressive. But the plants almost immediately showed their gratitude, making parts of the landscape look like a second spring. The grass sprung from the ground and the grazing animals filled their bellies with this earthly gift.
Today, the skies were clear and the sun bathed the landscape, quickly urging yesterday’s snow to feed the plants some more.
Even the chimps seemed to be operating under the rules of spring, with Jamie insisting I go on two walks with her in a row. One where five other chimpanzees joined, and one that was just the two of us.
On this second walk, with the warm rays of the sun tempering the wind, Jamie was in no hurry. She stopped to inspect a new log placed to brace one of the structures, and then sat on an outpost of that structure, gazing over her kingdom.
As I waited for her signal to continue, I marveled at the signs of plant life emerging amid summer’s leftover debris.
Jamie had me bring one of her new favorite boots on the walk with her. Luckily, she allowed me to wear my own boots and, instead, carry her star-spangled treasure.
As we continued on our walk, I kept looking at the ground and was surprised to see a brazen dandelion in bloom, another reminder of all the plant life under the surface, at the ready for the right conditions to show itself.
When I returned to the chimp house, I looked at the raspberry bushes and noticed new growth, taking one last giant photosynthetic gulp of the season.
Going around to see the six chimpanzees who arrived just shy of five months ago, I found them too soaking in the sun in the shelter of their newly paneled greenhouse.
It’s a little funny that we refer to these areas as greenhouses, a term usually reserved for shelters that allow plants to thrive even when the outside conditions wouldn’t allow the same, and not generally used to refer to shelters for nature’s more mobile kingdom. Today, however, the term seemed more than apt.
While not photosynthesizing, the chimpanzees were certainly soaking in the sun and perhaps storing some energy for future use.
Thank you for the great pictures today Diana, You are such a good story-teller :revolving_hearts:
Thank you, CeeCee!
Gordo just gets handsomer by the day. He always looks ready for his GQ moment!
Agreed!
Beautiful photos again today, and i just love the one of Rayne’s feet! Happy Spring day to you all…its Winter here in Edmonton, the snow is here to stay!
Chimp feet are the best. I hope the winter treats you well, Caroline!
Thanks, you as well! And i especially like seeing Cy’s feet when he reads his magazines, i just love their feet! Thanks for sharing!
well written……btw, whose house..?
Thanks, Tom. That little house in the first photo with the deer in front is J.B.’s shed. I took the photo from the office, which is the converted master bedroom of the residence onsite.
Jamie has a great taste in her boots. Your pictures are great. And seeing everyone out in the sun is a happy thing to see. You can feel the warmth of the sun on all the kids.
Thank you Diana for the wonderful pictures..
Thank you, Sandra. Those boots really are very special.
Creative Writer, Diana. So well written.
Thanks, Elaine!
Thanks for inviting us to experience your second spring and the beauty of the sanctuary with you. Nature is resilient, just like your residents. As always I appreciate the photos. Jamie. Jamie’s boot. Rayne’s feet!
I’ve always been curious about how warm the greenhouses stays during winter on a sunny day? On a 30 degree sunny day, what would the temps be inside the greenhouse? I only ask because the spaces look so warm and invitng, makes me want to add one to my house…it’s a brilliant design. Screens for the warm months, protection in the cold months.
I consulted with J.B. on this answer, and we are both just guessing. Maybe we should do some scientific research this winter to get an accurate answer! Our guess is that the inside temps are 20-30 degrees higher on a sunny day, and warmer at the highest spots. We also have a heater for the original greenhouse and will soon have one for the new greenhouses that we can turn on in the morning to get things warmed up some before the sun is able to do the work.
That photo of Gordo is stunning!!! What a great blog post – even poetic. And I am really glad that Jamie has decided those “star boots” are amongst her favorites. I am sure that makes the family who donated them in memory of their loved one very happy.
1) Who’s cute shack is that in the very first photo?
2) That is an awesome photo of Terry in the last pic.
My shack question was answered in a previous comment.