Happy Birthday, Tracy!

We continue to experience what feels like spring, just a much a colder version. There are moments when, much to my delight, I think it's autumn. Despite this morning being in the low twenties, the hillsides are greening up, vines are sprouting, garden plans are swimming in our heads, and the trills of the red-winged black birds have been dipping and swirling across the pond and into the fields as they reclaim their place in this corner of the world. And it's all happening at least a couple months early. But neither chimpanzees nor humans are complaining.

When I opened the hill up this morning the chimps marched out with purpose, each seemingly with the intent to find their own spot of sun and solitude.

Annie was the first one out:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_annie_sitting_in_morning_sun_yh_kd_IMG_4492.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39308" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_annie_sitting_in_morning_sun_yh_kd_IMG_4492.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="469" /></a>

Foxie, her Strawberry Shortcake dolls, Jody and Burrito headed up the hill together:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_shortcakes_jody_burrito_head_onto_yh_kd_IMG_4468.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39307" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_shortcakes_jody_burrito_head_onto_yh_kd_IMG_4468.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

Foxie peeled off from the group with her dolls to head in another direction:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_carrying_two_shortcake_dolls_in_mouth_yh_kd_IMG_4472.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39311" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_carrying_two_shortcake_dolls_in_mouth_yh_kd_IMG_4472.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="376" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_walking_yh_carrying_dolls_in_mouth_kd_IMG_4473-.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39310" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_walking_yh_carrying_dolls_in_mouth_kd_IMG_4473-.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

Missy took her chow from breakfast and raced past everyone to enjoy some privacy on a structure. But it wasn't long before Foxie decided to join her (though I think she invited herself):

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_structure_to_missy_with_dolls_kd_IMG_4477.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39313" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_structure_to_missy_with_dolls_kd_IMG_4477.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="500" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_sit_structure_with_dolls_and_missy_kd_IMG_4478.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39312" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_sit_structure_with_dolls_and_missy_kd_IMG_4478.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

You can spot one of Foxie's dolls on the post above her. Foxie often likes to put her dolls in precarious positions and then rescue them:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_cute_sit_structure_place_dolls_above_her_kd_IMG_4479.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39314" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_cute_sit_structure_place_dolls_above_her_kd_IMG_4479.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="537" /></a>

Foxie eventually decided to climb higher and join Missy:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_I_IMG_4484.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39316" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_I_IMG_4484.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_II_IMG_4485.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39317" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_II_IMG_4485.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_III_IMG_4486.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39318" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_III_IMG_4486.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_IV_IMG_4488.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39319" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_foxie_climb_to_join_missy_on_structure_yh_kd_IV_IMG_4488.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

Missy didn't seem ready to give up her solitude as she quickly relocated:

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_missy_enjoying_solitude_yh_kd_IMG_4490-.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39320" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_missy_enjoying_solitude_yh_kd_IMG_4490-.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="909" /></a>

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_missy_sit_structure_yh_look_up_at_sky_kd_IMG_4491.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39321" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_missy_sit_structure_yh_look_up_at_sky_kd_IMG_4491.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="942" /></a>

Jamie was busy inside preparing for a walk around the hill, but to my surprise even Negra ventured out with her pine tree snack to enjoy the sun for a few moments. I love that the chimpanzees can each find solitude within whole, a space to be with one another, but apart, knowing they have each other to return to as soon as they're ready.

<a href="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_negra_sit_in_morning_sun_with_pinetree_kd_IMG_4471.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-39309" src="https://staging.chimpsnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web_negra_sit_in_morning_sun_with_pinetree_kd_IMG_4471.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="394" /></a>

Happy Birthday, Tracy!

December 29, 2020 by Chad -

Share with your friends!

Bruce Clifton is sponsoring this day of sanctuary in honor of long time supporter Tracy Headley’s birthday!

Bruce says:

“Tracy fell in love with the chimps during one of the sanctuary’s first public tours, and she has been an enthusiastic follower, donor, and volunteer ever since. She is so excited about the continued expansion of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, and she looks forward to more chimps (and other critters) nestling in to a loving forever home in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Tracy! You rock!!!”

Happy Birthday, Tracy! We all hope you have the most wonderful of days and a magnificent start of the new year! We deeply appreciate all the love and support you have shown the chimpanzees over the years!

Thank you, Bruce for this generous gesture in honoring Tracy’s day of days!

Jamie:

Annie:

Missy:

Burrito:

Foxie:

Jody:

Negra:

Sanctuary Sponsor-a-day

3 Comments

Patti on December 29, 2020 at 7:35 am

Happy Birthday, Tracy!!
Linda C on December 29, 2020 at 8:36 am

Happy birthday, Tracy!
Tobin on December 30, 2020 at 3:50 pm

What beautiful photographs! Negra with her tartans and Missy standing upright by the tree as if thinking, “Hmm? Now how do I get ahold of that tangerine that hiding in there?”

Subscribe to the Blog and
Get Notified of New Posts First!

If you like what see, be sure to subscribe. Personally written by the caregivers themselves, 365 days a year, you’ll get an insiders glimpse of all the goings on at the sanctuary. Follow us!