Today was sponsored by Shauna and Jake Holliday for their beloved dog, Taylor:
“In loving memory of our English Bulldog Taylor who we recently lost. She would have been 10 on this day. We showered this tender hearted girl with love and care for her entire life and we would like to share with the chimpanzees on her special day.”
Shauna and Jake, thank you so much for allowing the chimpanzees to share in such a special day for you. We are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved friend and family member. We are sending all the good thoughts to you today, hoping that Taylor’s legacy brings you comfort and joy, as you all have helped bring the chimpanzees.
Summer things
Summertime mornings on Young’s Hill:
Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake…
…joined by Burrito
Jody patrolling the hill…
Missy, being her cool self…
…until bestie, Annie, shows up for a game of wrestle and chase on the high beam…
In other news, the chimps have bellies full of berries today (see Anna’s post from yesterday). But that’s what summertime is about, right? Jamie tossed me a bowl today and politely “requested” that I immediately fill it up with raspberries and currants for everyone. Well, for her really. I just gave her her own bowl and made sure the others had some as well. And we humans may have snuck a few ourselves, but do not tell the boss lady.
And thanks to the generosity of one of our lovely supporters (thank you!!), I received a new pair of muck boots today and naturally, they did not for one second go unnoticed by Jamie. She was smitten by the brand-new-shininess of them and gave a head nod of approval at the green kelp design on the lining. Though they’re a fantastic Salmon Sisters design for XTRATUF, Jamie and I both agreed they should henceforth be referred to as the Chimp Sisters boots. Well, probably if you asked Jamie she would just say HER boots. 😉
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July everyone! I am sure we all think of fresh fruit, chips, hot dogs/hamburgers (veggie of course), and a crisp drink when we think about gathering with friends and family to celebrate our Independence Day. I mean what could be more 4th of July than a good old fashion BBQ?! I though I would share what was on the menu for our party.
We started our day with a nice refreshing fruit salad bowl made by our lovely volunteers:
Next we moved to the Hill forage for lunch. We cooked up some veggie dogs, Negra and Burrito almost screamed when they saw the buns, cut up some watermelon, we baked fries, sprinkled a few cherry tomatoes, shucked corn, and cut up some spears of cucumber (that we pretended were pickles)! Don’t worry we did not forget about refreshments, the chimps drank some Martinelli’s as well.
I would scream for this meal too:
I know there is a video, but I thought I would share just a few photos too!
Jamie walking on the firehose:
Annie found one of the many boats:
And Negra.
She was moving around everywhere today, it was fun to see where she would pop up:
The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse is a space that provides many benefits to the chimps. The Greenhouse is the gateway to Young’s Hill, there are different levels of platforms for the chimps to look out or rest on, and warm spots to sprawl out and bake in the spring/summer. The Greenhouse is also a common space where the chimps like to lounge around, have big grooming sessions, and play games with their human and non-human friends. The wide-open, but secure air space in the Greenhouse is what makes it so wonderful for the chimpanzees. The Greenhouse is so lovely that sometimes it is hard to get the chimps out of it so we can clean. Who could blame them for not wanting to leave?! I have a collection of Greenhouse photos from yesterday and today, I hope you enjoy!
Annie:
Bubba (Burrito) being goofy:
Jody snacking on foliage from the Hill:
Foxie in and out of napping on the top of the Greenhouse platform:
Negra:
Missy self grooming:
Delightful
I walked out to the Green House to attempt to get a few photos for the blog and to my delight Burrito and Jody were breathy panting, wrestling, and play biting. I had to do a double take! There was no way that this was happening AND I had the camera on hand! While I was double checking that this was real I looked over to Jody who had the biggest drooped lip. Jody looked so content. She was having fun but also did not have to get up and over exert herself. Burrito couldn’t have looked happier and he was playing so gently. It was so fun to watch, however I didn’t stay long because I didn’t want to ruin the moment. I hope you all enjoy!
A thunderstormy Sunday
What a glorious day of weather! This morning was bright, sunny and humid as the chimpanzees made their way through the jungle of tall grass that is Young’s Hill right now. We noticed that they came in a little sooner than usual and right on their heels the sky started to brew billowing thunderheads and turn a deep violet. And then the thunder and lighting began.
I remember in the early days of Young’s Hill when a storm would come through and one boom of thunder would send the chimps hooting and running for the safety of the greenhouse. As time has passed, they became much more at ease with storms and even occasionally took cover atop the structures of Young’s Hill to watch the storm approach. If we have a rare extended one like today, it’s not uncommon to see them paying more attention of course, but I think they respond in much the same way we do. A little nervous, a little in awe, marveling at Mother Nature.
Jody sat at the entrance to the greenhouse for some time watching the storm roll in, but once the thunder began she quickly made her way back inside:
Annie:
Jody and Annie:
Everyone seemed to pick a spot they felt cozy in from which to wait out the storm. Foxie took her doll to a safe corner of the greenhouse:
Lightening flashed, thunder boomed, rain poured and the chimp house shook (eliciting a brief alarm call and some hoots). And we had the great joy of standing under the eaves of the chimp house watching the wondrous parenting skills of our neighbor swallow family as the parents braved the storm to keep all their fledglings well fed:
The sun’s back out, the chimpanzees are lounging in the greenhouse as they wait while Anthony prepares their dinner, the cattle decided it was safe to leave their barn and made their way to their new summer pasture and still, the fledglings are calling for their parents, awaiting the next round of scrumptious bugs. And all the while another round of thunderheads is brewing and heading this way. It’s a beautiful day.
A Good Lookout View
The grass is so lush that sometimes it feels like we are playing I Spy. This morning, especially for Jody I could barely keep up. Jody was weaving in and out of the tall grass and bamboo bushes. When she finally emerged Jody had stuffed her face with so much prickly lettuce!
Bubba and Annie spent some quality time outside together:
Jamie and Foxie went on a perimeter walk together:
Foxie and her doll having a moment:
I love this photo of Jamie hidden behind the tall grass:
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