It’s been a wacky winter in the Pacific Northwest! Sunshine in February, snow in March. Let’s take a walk together around Young’s Hill and see what the weather will do.
weather
By and Down the Atmospheric River
The Pacific Northwest is currently under an atmospheric river. No need to fear for our humble sanctuary though. Being on the high ground has it’s advantages. Atmospheric river or not, it still hasn’t stopped the chimps from going outside.
Though the rain isn’t finished and we have several more days in the forecast, I just really wanted to celebrate and applaud my fellow staff members and volunteers who braved the floods and mudslides to make it in today. I know to them it may not seem as much, but it’s the world to the residents here. I have met some pretty gritty people in my life, but the caregivers here, both staff and volunteer, are exemplary gritty. Braving the down pours, floods, walking through the mud and muck around the sanctuary, I admire each and every one of you and all that you do for the chimpanzees, cattle, and each other.
And one last photo of one the the most handsome individuals you could ever meet for good measure:
Walking in the Rain
We all had an adventure on this walk the other day!
It was fun to join the chimpanzees getting caught in the rain.
It reminded me of the very first heavy rain that the Cle Elum Seven experienced. Thanks to this blog, you can learn more about that experience here: Rainstorm Bravery
The photo of Missy in the doorway, watching the rain is still one of my favorites:
Gordo Making Decisions on a Blustery Bray Day
Today’s video is mostly about Gordo, but doesn’t Cy look great out there! These chimpanzees from California are getting used the Central Washington weather little by little.
Did you have a fake spring day today too? If so, I hope you got out there like Gordo.
Fall is the Best Season
According to personal experience, the internet, the faculties of reason and good judgment, and nearly every facet of observable and measurable reality, fall is the best season—pumpkin spice notwithstanding. Sure, I enjoy the green shoots of spring, the long days of summer, and the fact that pushing snow around with a big tractor is considered part of my “work,” but let’s not kid ourselves: We should all want 68-degree days and colorful leaves forever. And I think the chimps will back me up on this, judging by how much time they’ve been spending outside lately (the cows, on the other hand, may place a bit more emphasis on those green shoots).
Speaking of cows, the girls came down the mountain yesterday so that they can sleep in their barn once again. The facilitated ankylosis treatments that Meredith underwent last winter and spring have proven to be worth it, as her crippling hobble has been downgraded to a slight limp and she’s been deemed fit for traversing steep slopes once again, when conditions allow. It’s amazing to see her run after so long, though I have to admit I was holding my breath and praying that those little ankles would continue to support our 3/4-ton girl downhill at stride.
I spent a wonderful 30 minutes this afternoon just watching Honey B explore the Bray. I’m trying to get her to follow me to the very top of the hill, but we’re not quite there yet. She seems to prefer going outside without her group mates and I hope that will change soon. There’s just so much for her to enjoy out there. And this is the best time of year to enjoy it.
August slipped away into a Moment in Time
As August slips away from us we’ve already been feeling those cooler nights in Central Washington. A little preview of what’s to come next month I’m sure. Summer’s not quite over yet though as we’ve still got some hot temps on the horizon for this labor day weekend. This weather is perfect for forages and outdoor exploration.
I got a couple of photos of Annie during today’s lunch forage. This timeless lady turns 50 in just a few short weeks. Can you believe it?
Missy and Annie
Just Missy:
Foxie and her chow collection (doll in tow).
Negra eating her forage (also with doll in tow):
Bonus! Cy lounging in a paper filled front room:
Fair-Weather Chimps
As always, I apologize for today’s blog. All staff are arriving at the sanctuary to have our bi-weekly staff meeting. I think I was a little optimistic thinking powering through cleaning to have enough time to grab some photos or video before our meeting. Though we were able to get done with cleaning a little earlier than we usually do, it still wasn’t enough. Especially since it was during the part of day right before lunch, when they are all in the hard to reach spots napping or grooming. I readjusted my plan to get photos during lunch service today. This too was somewhat difficult. On one side, Honey B became a better door than window in my attempts to see/take photos of anyone. On the other side, Burrito just wanted to play, thus souring my attempts with a game of “Poke-the-Camera,” which he finds hilarious.
If you’re wondering why they chimps elected to stay inside instead of venturing out doors today, the answer is weather. There seems to be a little bit of everything in the forecast. It’s cloudy with some sun breakthroughs here and there. Strong gusts of winds are making the panels to the greenhouses rattle. On again and off again drizzles of cold rain are falling from the sky. To top it off, there is some snow that is currently in the forecast for later today. Though realistically (read hopefully) the snow part will change as the day goes on and just turn into rain.
Before the weather started to turn, Negra was demanding to be let onto Young’s Hill first thing in the morning.
Shortly after I opened the door to Young’s Hill, that’s when the weather decided to start. My tall tell sign? Just as fast as she went out, Negra came right back in.
Negra made a beeline straight back to her morning nest.
Negra and her family for the most part stayed in all day. The story next door wasn’t too much different.
But even though outdoor weather wasn’t the most optimal, mealtimes are always exciting. I’m fairly certain I make the same face as Cy and Gordo when my food comes out from the kitchen at a restaurant.
And just as the day started, I will end with Negra in her nest at dinner
Plus Missy and Burrito!
