Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

seasons

Happy Birthday Honey Cow!

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Today our beloved Honey Cow turns 15! At CSNW, caregivers have been getting to know this sassy golden cow for the last 4 years! A very special thank you to Paulette Wrisley for sponsoring today in Honey’s honor.

Honey is easily recognized as the lightest “honey” colored member in her small herd of fellow Jersey cattle.

From front to back: Meredith, Betsy, Honey and Nutmeg:

Honey is also known for being  the sauciest member of her herd. She has no patience for the hugs we would ideally like to give her. Occasionally we can get away with a few scratches or a little brushing, but in general we respect Honey’s wishes and give her the personal space from humans she seems to appreciate. I think if Honey could plan an ideal birthday party for herself, she would like a bale of hay delivered to her barn and to be left alone with her family, and that’s just what she got today!

Here are a few of my favorite photos of Honey taken by my fellow caregivers throughout the seasons!

 

The inevitable march of time

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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:

Foxie in the green grass

 

Jody with some wild plant she’s harvested:

Jody in the green grass

 

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:

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Missy:

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Annie:

Annie walking in the tall grass

Annie profile walking in tall grass

 

Jamie in the foreground, Missy in the background:

Jamie and Missy walking in the tall grass

 

Jamie:

Jamie in the tall grass

 

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):

Annie standing tall grass

 

Negra collecting her lunch from a forage set out on the hill (taken today):

Negra forage

Negra mouth full of food

 

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:

Burrito and Jody with bamboo

 

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:

Jody eating snow