All of the chimps put in a respectable showing at today’s Easter egg hunt, but there was one clear winner.
young's hill
The infectious joy of grabbing feet
Last week after the chimps’ enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day party in the greenhouse, Jamie and I went for a walk around Young’s Hill together. Like many of Jamie’s walks, this gives some of the other chimps an excuse to spend some more time outdoors as well. Missy was a bullet of energy, running around starting games of chase with Foxie and Annie. Her signature move of the day? The foot grab!
Missy going in for the “kill” on an unsuspecting Foxie:
Foxie chased Jamie down the hill making similar moves to grab Jamie’s feet:
Annie yanking her foot from Missy’s grasp:
Spring has Sprung
Spring has sprung and there is nothing but happy chimps here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! We had chimps (Negra and friends) baking at the top of the platform in the Greenhouse, Missy asking for the barn doors to be open, Foxie playing wild games of chase, Jamie walking on the Hill & enjoying lots of grooming sessions with her boots, Burrito and Jody hanging out & grooming all day, and Missy and Annie chasing all over the place. Foxie was nice enough to let me get another photo shoot in and Jamie also let me get a few snaps before we started a game of chase this morning!
Foxie:
Jamie:
Jody staring out the Raceway towards the Hill:
Lost and Found
Foxie started her Young’s Hill morning adventure with a bright pink haired doll and a red headed doll (for those who are keeping up with Foxie’s passions, these are friends of Strawberry shortcake: “Huckleberry Pie” and “Raspberry Torte”)
The next thing I knew, she had found a lost Dora doll in the grass:
Dora’s face was a bit muddy, but Foxie kept her clutched in one hand as she took her safely back to the greenhouse:
Foxie to the rescue!
Rest Day
Well today is turned out to be a pretty mellow day! After a rowdy breakfast some of the chimps decided to go out on the Hill for a walk. As Jamie and I strolled along, we stopped for a second to let Missy catch up. She came bounding towards us, but opted to run around the Hill instead. Jamie and I were at the tail end of our walk when we saw Foxie walking behind Miss. Foxie had one of her dolls on her back, and little Missy was stomping around trying to get Foxie to chase. Missy ran up to Foxie and gave her a kiss and some breathy pants, then ran off. Foxie finished the walk with Jamie and I. The chimps spent the rest of their day in the nice warm Greenhouse grooming and napping! Because the chimps were being lumps I do not have many photos. Fortunately, Foxie let me do a photo shoot this morning!
Foxie is one photogenic lady:
Annie bird and bluebirds
Everyone’s gathering. Red-winged blackbird, nuthatch, woodpeckers, squirrels. With each passing day we see the return of our wild neighbors. We’re still below freezing at night, but today is almost 60 degrees! And with that warmth returned the neighbors I’ve been watching for every day, the ones who announce it’s spring, regardless of the calendar: the swallows and the bluebirds!
When the chimps rushed onto the hill together this morning they all seemed to slow down, noticing the warmth of the sun and the air filled with birdsong. It was as if everything stilled for a moment and my heart sang right along with all the birds just watching the chimps take it all in. Spring has arrived.
When the sky is bluebird bright and clear, Annie in particular loves to find a perch outside in the sun and take it all in in relative solitude. Her bestie, Missy, was ripping and running back and forth beneath her trying to entice her into a game of chase, but it was some time before Annie could be swayed to leave her lookout. When she finally did decide to head inside she promptly made a nest in the sun streaming into the chimps’ playroom, put her feet up on the wall and sang her own Annie-bird song (whistling through her hands) that always means her heart is joyful and content. Missy came in and curled up next to Annie in the nest. And so our day went, all our hearts singing.
Sun’s Out Chimps Out
The chimps were on the move today! Jody was running around the Hill with her gals, Missy was ripping up and down all the structures, Jamie was walking and exploring with everyone, and Foxie was pushing herself to the limits. While Jamie and I were out on a walk Missy, Annie, Jody, and Foxie we not far behind. Annie and Missy made it to the Twister and climbed all the way to the top. Jody got to the top and decided to come down; however, Foxie was cautious and went up part way only to climb back down, but that did not stop her from trying again! Once all the other girls left Foxie even climbed up the Twister on her own and got most of the way up, that girl is brave! After, Foxie met Missy up on the suspension bridge structure, Missy was feeling silly and sneakily and took Foxie’s doll and ran away (trying to instigate chase). Foxie slowly followed after her (don’t worry eventually Miss did give the doll back). All in all it was a fun and silly day at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!
Missy and Annie on top of the Twister:
Foxie (with doll), Missy (middle), Annie (front) walking towards the next structure to explore:
Foxie climbing the Twister alone and was getting pretty high, maybe the highest she has ever gone:
Foxie carefully climbing down after a big accomplishment:
Foxie and Missy hanging out/playing on one of the climbing structures (about when Missy steals that little doll):
After a slow fun game of chase, Missy gives the doll back to Foxie (Foxie behind the tree):
Jamie exploring:
Jamie and the squad (Annie and Missy):
Handsome Burrito (he didn’t stay long outside):
After climbing all morning Annie laid down to relax and make some bird noises:
Jamie using a tool to get the big nuts out of the Playroom windows:
Missy also used a tool to get some big nuts:
Missy:
Negra enjoying some sun:
