One of the most delicious things about summer is eating fresh tomatoes from the vine. But, did you know there is a proper way to eat a tomato?
Learn from Cy, the tomato connoisseur!
tomatoes
Hello Friend. Perhaps You’d Like to Share Your Tomatoes?
I love watching subtle communication between chimpanzees and the social roles on display.
Missy is a socially savvy chimpanzee, and this video shows that. Though Negra is not physically dominant, particularly now that she is less mobile, she remains the Queen, and Missy is keenly aware and respectful of the social rules of her group.
This exchange reminded me of an instance, many years ago, when Missy was eating corn on the cob. Negra reached out her hand and grimaced towards Missy, and Missy calmly put the ear of corn in Negra’s hand. I think I put photos of it on the blog. I did a quick search and didn’t find the post. I’ve got a pair of brand-new Burrito socks as a prize for the first person who finds the post. It would probably be from 2008 or 2009.
Missy’s 49th Birthday!
Today is Missy’s 49th Birthday!
Unlike previous birthdays for Missy, today was chilly and rainy. However, that didn’t stop the chimps from foraging out on Young’s Hill!
If you aren’t familiar with Missy’s interests, she is our tomato enthusiast. She had at least one form of tomato for each meal so far today. As we speak, caregiver Ellen is making a tomato-based soup for all the chimps to enjoy at dinner. I know Missy will be over the moon!
Happy Birthday to our tomato-lovin’, tree-climbin’, athletic, graceful, birthday girl, Missy! I can’t believe she is 49 years old today. She ages so gracefully.
Photos from today
Annie foraging:
Foxie climbing up a structure:
Foxie moving grass out of her way, but looks like she’s doing karate:
Jamie on top of a structure:
Missy and Annie sitting on the artificial termite mound:
Missy enjoying a juicy tomato:
Missy:
Negra:
Tomatoes from the Garden
Included among the vegetables currently ripening in the chimpanzees’ garden (thanks to volunteer Denice), are many cherry tomatoes:
This has not escaped the notice of one Missy Chimpanzee. The chimpanzees have a great view of the garden from all of the windows of the playroom. While many of the windows are bullet-proof glass, we do have some that have window caging over them, which allows us to open the window on the other side of the window cage for air flow. It also allows the chimps to climb on the caging. Here is Missy clinging to the window caging, gazing at the tomato plants:
Missy may be of the opinion that the windows open so that we can give her those tomatoes she has her eye on, and that’s fine with us – it’s fun and satisfying to be able to give the chimpanzees exactly what they are asking for. Today, volunteer caregiver Connie and staff member Debbie served Missy some tomatoes.
Jamie joined in on the spontaneous treat:
I can not emphasize enough how much Missy loves tomatoes:
