Today we awoke to an entirely different climate from last week. Cooling wind relief rolled in overnight to Central Washington and we are enjoying a perfect (although blustery) day in the upper 60’s. I even had to click on my car’s heated seats on my way to work!
Chad and I spent the morning cleaning the original side of the building and I sensed the chimpanzees were all enjoying the drop in temperatures. Jamie went for frequent explorations on Young’s Hill as she needed to check on J.B. and the progress being made on the new enclosure fence line. She skipped a playroom cabbage forage and opted to go outside instead of letting me close of the Greenhouse for cleaning. Meanwhile, Negra covered her head with a leopard print blanket to add that extra layer of comfort back into her nest.
I captured a few random moments from the day.
Portrait Studio Jamie:
Jamie examining her new book about Egypt (and mummies):
Here Jamie lovingly looks at her favorite book about Bonobos:
Since we didn’t get the Greenhouse closed off, we opted to put out some browse in the front rooms after we fully cleaned and disinfected them. Chad and Grace harvested fresh willow on the property and the chimpanzees eagerly collected the branches for consumption. No one was more eager to eat the willow than Missy:
Missy even kept a good grip on her willow during a quick wrestling match with Burrito:
Jamie again:
Burrito:
Meanwhile on the other side of the building, Kelsi captured this pretty spectacular moment. We counted seven chimpanzees in this grooming puddle!!
“Home! That was what they meant, those caressing appeals, those soft touches wafted through the air, those invisible little hands pulling and tugging, all one way.”
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
Marya says
Anna, thanks for your report of the day & these great photos. I adore the “grooming puddle” and seeing everyone so close and connected, at least in those moments (before the next scuffle). Ahhhh, Jamie. What an old soul, what depth, what a mind, what opinions!! The very first time I saw her looking at boot books I was blown away, and then I saw images of her drawing, and then I saw her using the tool bench. That’s a while back now and it always touches me as she is just being herself, making sure she’s patrolling everything that needs looking after and sizing up everyone. Also — It’s thrilling that the new outdoor space is coming along! Enjoy the cool outdoors while you have it!!
Tobin says
I am relieved to read of cooler temperatures on and above Young’s Hill and vicinity. And the portraits of Jamie, Burrito and Missy, as well as the groomapalooza of Maeve & Co. are works of Art. I am always drawn to the beauty of the chimpanzee’s eyes,
tomaustin says
i have asked this before…..will the groups be in the outdoors at the same time….would be the first real interaction in quite a while…………likely be a noisy get-to-gather……………….
Paulette says
Hi Tom. I’ll take a stab at answering your question. The original seven have access to Young’s Hill.
The newly integrated group of nine will have access to a separate outdoor enclosure that will be called The Bray.
The two groups will not be together. I’m sure they can all be outside at the same time, but in their respective outdoor enclosures.
They will be making some modifications to Young’s Hill, and they are still constructing The Bray.
Linda C says
Hi Paulette, I think Tom is asking if they’ll be in their own respective areas at the same times, within sight of each other
J.B. says
Yes, they will have access to The Bray and Young’s Hill at the same time. We will be installing a visual barrier along the fence to a height of 5′ so they will have to climb to see each other. And the groups will be a minimum of 30′ apart so they will actually be farther apart outside than they are when the nine are in the chute and the seven are in their playroom. But I’m sure it will be very exciting for both groups at first!
Linda C says
thank you, JB. It’ll be exciting for all!
Maureen says
“Groomapalooza!’
“Wind and Willows!” Fabulous plays with words and both from someone other than our usual wordsmith! The stage is expanding and the bar for offering delightfully worded Blogs continues to rise. And I thank you.
Ken & Gracie the beagle says
Thank you for sharing another beautiful day at the sanctuary. the beautiful 7 with Mave in the middle of it all.
cheers!
Kathleen says
I am envious of your cooler temperatures. My brain is frying in this heat.
While it’s unfortunate you couldn’t complete all your cleaning chores, it certainly appears that Jamie and friends were unperturbed. They were having a wonderful day. Who needs to think about cleaning when there’s books to read and fresh, handpicked willow to snack on! I love the photo of Jamie and the willow bough.
And the seven (7?!!) chimpanzee “Love Train” (my mind instantly began singing The O’Jay’s song) is magnificent. But it was your perfect quote at the very end that wrapped up this delightful post so perfectly. Thanks for that Anna. Yes. This is what they meant……
Linda C says
Just a beautiful day all around, Anna!
Thanks for sharing that!
Alex says
i so appeciate this blog. at the end of the day, its so refreshing and heartwarming to see what kind of day the chimps and bovines had. i dare anyone to look at a photo of burrito and not smile.
magda says
Nice poetic ending Anna. Very beautiful.