The Zen of Mave
May 11, 2021 by Chad -
You may have noticed some of the most recent posts have been very lilac-y. That’s because lilacs are in bloom and before we know it, they will be gone. So we have been trying to take advantage of the season. Last week, I was able to capture these images.
To give a little background, Honey B, Willy B, and Mave tend to be a little suspicious of new foods or items. Last year it took them a while to even nibble at the lilacs. Same as last year, at first they seemed to be completely insulted we even offered it to them last week. Mave, however, ultimately collected all of them and was found munching on them throughout the afternoon. Last Thursday, when we received another collection of lilacs for the chimpanzees, we offered some to the Three. Honey B did end up with one, which she ended up passing to J.B. and he passed back to her. She began munching on hers shortly after.
Willy B was genuinely disinterested in them and walked right passed them.
But MAVE on the other hand had other plans. She collected as much as she could. But instead of immediately beginning to munch on them, she just casually carried them around with her for a while.
As she carried around her bouquet, she would take time just to sniff them.
As she sat in the Chute with her lilacs, sniffing them periodically, she gave off this aura of pure relaxation and content.
I tried the get the perfect photo of her in this state, however we try not to stay for too long when taking photos. It’s a “in and out” type of operation as to not stress them out. I though I had the perfect shot, but after I made my way back inside, I realized she had blinked during my opportunity. However, I will always admit she is blinking in this photo if anybody asked, but it almost added to the vibe of the situation and photo. You will have to imagine this photo but her eyes open for of a more realistic idea, but everyone who has seen it so far said, “She looks so zen in this photo!” which makes this imperfect photo the perfect photo of Mave. (Though Mave is always perfect!)
It’s almost impossible to know exactly what is happening in their minds, but we can always just imagine.
Here are some bonus photos from today:
Burrito
Burrito with a Dora the Explorer doll.
Burrito doing Burrito things.
Burrito walking through the long grass.
Negra
Negra enjoying an orange during a forage on Young’s Hill.
Annie
Annie eating chow biscuits during the forage.
Foxie
Foxie going back to get Dora the Explorer who fell off her back.
Jamie
Jamie teaching Sofìa and Sam about her rules about going around Young’s Hill with the Gator. Kelsi was there to also help them get used to Jamie’s rules.
11 Comments
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You must make copies of “Zen of Mave”. I would purchase one.
Aaahhh…aromatherapy.
I really like the zen photo…….
Chad, I bet you couldn’t capture such a perfect Mave photo again in a hundred years. It really is an amazingly beautiful pose from a very pretty lady. Well done!
Well, it is because Mave is a bit of a Buddha, isn’t she?
And after the aromatherapy session ( Chris ), it is good practice to let it all sink into the body and mind through meditation.
And those photo’s of Burrito dear Chad, remind me of a parent showing me photo’s of their little children; here is Mathilde on a bike, here lying down, here doing Mathilde things…., etc. Very endearing and it shows the special bond you have with him.
The Zen photo is the best!! I also LOVE the photo of Mave with all the lilacs in her mouth!! Made me laugh out loud this morning! Great first photo to start my day!!
Chad, your Zen photo of Mave IS perfection and it’s because of the blink, but I prefer to think she is doing some form of lilac meditation or making a prayer to the scent god before eating the lilacs. Did she ever eat them or did she simply choose to carry and smell them for the day?
It is interesting how the three are more particular when it comes to trying new foods compared to the seven. Or maybe it just seems that way? Or maybe the seven had such deprived lives for so long that they are game to eat and enjoy anything that’s yummy while the three may had better opportunities at Wildlife Waystation? As you say, we’ll never know what they are thinking but it is wonderful knowing they now have all these new and wild opportunities to explore.
Love the bonus photos too! (…and I agree with John and Marianne) However, I think you need to dig deep into one of Jamie’s nests because I am certain she has created a handbook written and illustrated demonstrating how new staff members must preform their tasks the proper way, the Boss Way.
I dunno, Kathleen…..think to some of the videos we’ve seen where Neggie won’t touch anything until she gets chow. She passes on tomatoes. I think the only one not passing on anything is Burrito!
This is the most Zen I have ever seen Mave! What a fabulous photo!
These are just about the greatest group of photos. I say that about a lot of them LOL but these are really wonderful. The zen photo is definitely one you could sell as a poster. Mave is amazing. The lilac photos are beautiful. And I love the photo of Honey B with that sweet smile too. Thank you Chad
Chad! Oh my goodness! The Zen Mave photo is perfection. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I wanted to know where she went in her mind. My own mind went wandering…
…
…
…
Then you spoiled it!
But no matter. That photo is powerful enough that, even though I know it is a blink, it still takes me away. There is such a power in photography and you Chad have a gift. Thank goodness you share it!