Snake patrol
May 20, 2019 by Katelyn -
There are a few weeks each year in early spring that are dreamlike here at the sanctuary. Of course, the sanctuary holds it’s own magic year-round, but this time of year the world briefly turn lush, vibrant green, the air is scented with lupine and the birdsong is never-ending. It’s glorious, really. And even more so to watch the chimpanzees enjoy these days.
Bleeding hearts:
This little finch sang and sang all the day long:
We’ve had a literal superbloom of balsamroot this year and the entire canyon is covered in bright yellow blooms:
Everyone was at the top of the hill together this morning already on snake patrol:
Foxie:
Dear, sweet Annie wanted to join the group, but she was more concerned about walking through known “snake territory” to join them and opted to use the firehose to avoid stepping on the ground. The chimps have been seeing a snake the past couple of days, most likely a harmless racer or garter snake, and if you’ve been following for awhile you might recall that Annie HATES snakes. She screams at the top of her lungs at the mere suggestion of one:
Safe with Missy:
Jamie and I went walking before dinner and I quickly figured out we were on a serious snake hunt. She bravely scoured under every log and patch of flowers she could find:
I found a snake on my side of the fence, but I didn’t tell Jamie about this green racer taking a nap outside of Young’s Hill:
Lupine:
Swallow couple nesting:
May your spring days be as magical as the chimps’!
17 Comments
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Oh Annie!! I completely feel need to use the firehose rather than take a chance on stepping on or even seeing a snake!! I’m 100% with ya girl.
How lovely!! I’m with Annie on snakes altho I don’t hate them, just like to see them from afar!! hahaha Love and hugs to you all…
And to think everything looks splendidly perfect, flowers bursting out all over and the grass so green, and then you discover there’s a snake on your turf?! Yikes. Luckily Annie has all the right moves to stay above ground. And Jamie is always so brave with snakes, did she ever find one her side of the fence?
Thanks for these gorgeous photos. I’ll say it again, Young’s Hill is a small piece of paradise.
Hi Kathleen, She did not! However, poor Annie is “seeing” them everywhere and was convinced there was one in one of the front rooms this evening. She sat in the doorway screaming like a banshee (poor Annie) and Jamie, Missy, Foxie and Jody raced in to the rescue. It was so funny because we were all standing there trying to see “the snake” – the chimps were looking at the ceiling, the walls, flipping blankets, looking in the drain. I flushed the drain thinking I’d have to rescue this intruder, but nothing. A snakey figment of her imagination.
Poor Annie, being that afraid of snakes! I hope the cacophany of support she found helped her just a little. Glad they all helped.
I think I said this before, but it’s like she’s playing “the floor is lava”!
Haha, that’s funny, Linda. I forgot all about that game! Or in Annie’s case, “the floor is a snake pit.” 😉
I agree with Annie about the snakes. Jamie is one brave lady. The flowers are beautiful! You seldom see bleeding hearts these days. They remind me of Grandma’s garden many years ago.
I agree, Jackie, they’re one of my favorites. 🙂
I don’t recall seeing them at all, growing up in the Midwest. But here on the East Coast, lots of people have them; as I walk about town, I see lots of them! They’re so pretty.
What a life these 7 live. If anyone is scared of snakes. I’m the worse. This time of year for them must make them feel like their in paradise with the beautiful smelling flowers, the green and warm grass. Their life is so complete less those ugly snakes.
What a thrillingly magical post! It was delightful to be so intimately involved in the environment of the chimps on a spring day. Even if Annie is petrified of snakes, as am I, she was brave enough to go out and smart enough to figure how to do it without a toe on the ground! Thanks for this beautiful post!
New to you posts… Thank you for what you do for them, and evidently, they keep a lot of people entertained. Love the pictures, and stories!
Welcome, Vickie! Thanks so much for being here. 🙂
Annie may be scared of snakes, but she’s certainly resourceful with her fire hose bridge!
I like to think the chimps divvy up snake-hunting duties like so:
Jamie: Okay, I’ll check the perimeter when I go walk the humans. Missy and Foxy will search around the structures. Jody and Burrito will take the greenhouse with Negra watching the door, and, Annie?
Annie: Yes? 😮
Jamie: You scream like a pro if you see anything suspicious! >:)
Annie: I can do that! 🙂
Foxie: You got this, girl! 😀
I saw a video a while back of Annie getting very upset looking at a picture of snakes in a picture book. Then another chimp came and ripped out the page from the book. I can’t now find the video on the site. Does anyone have a link for it?
Hi Ed,
That was such a great one! It was actually of Jamie who got a surprise while she was looking through one of her Christmas gifts: https://staging.chimpsnw.org/2015/12/25/