The enchantment of a summer afternoon
September 2, 2019 by Katelyn -
The chimp house was a flurry of happenings this morning. With two groups of chimpanzees currently living in separate areas while Mave, Willy B and Honey B complete their quarantine, we’ve had to get a little creative in dividing everyone up to care for the chimps and their respective homes. Add in visits with old friends and new, and construction as our good friend, Gary McInnis of Sage Mechanical, and his wonderful colleagues, work hard to wrap up completion of the new tunnel which leads outside from Phase I and will allow Mave, Willy B and Honey B to venture into the fresh air and sunshine while they await the end of their quarantine and their chance to enjoy Young’s Hill. The chimp house was a hive of activity.
So this afternoon when things suddenly grew still and quiet after lunch it was as if a spell had been cast. An enchantment had fallen over the chimp house.
I went out to the greenhouse and Missy quietly came over and asked me to groom her and a few minutes later Burrito decided to join us. It’s always a gift when the chimpanzees invite us to interact with them, but when other chimpanzees approach we will typically disengage so they can spend their time bonding with one another. Their relationships with one another are always the priority in our minds. But this afternoon, Burrito and Missy seemed happy to include me in their grooming session and as we three sat huddled closely together in one shady corner of the greenhouse, everyone else relaxed and dozed around us in the summer breeze filled afternoon. It was so quiet. So still.
Negra:
Burrito grooming Missy’s brow:
Annie rested nearby:
Jody fell sound asleep. I watched her for some time, in awe really. Her tiny feet clasped together, the breeze ruffling her hair and the leaves of the bamboo. She took a deep sigh, her body twitching in some dream only she will know:
Sweet Foxie, her eyes growing heavy:
To hear the chimpanzees sigh in ease and contentment, to watch their hair blow in the warmth of a breeze as they doze and dream in this home, their home, that you make possible for them…in that enchanted space my heart just swelled with thankfulness for it all.
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So grateful for all you do and provide for these wonderful beings!! Love and hugs to all…
What a wonderful post Katelyn… and fantastic photos… I love getting to know the “new kids” and yet there is something so comforting and “home-like” to hear about what the familiar “old friends” are doing …. and seeing them in glorious repose is always awe inspiring, happy tear invoking, a true and precious gift that you all share with us. Thank you all.. as always!
Thank you for bringing the enchantment of this special place into my life. The humans are so wildly busy while the chimps are all so peaceful in their comfortable surroundings. And your words Katelyn, as lovely and as enchanting as reading our friend Mary Oliver. : )
Very thankful for all of you…..
Beautiful post! Thank you for the wonderful care and love you give to the chimps.
I love those pics of sleeping Jo …dreaming of pumpkin forges, maybe?
My goodness, what has happened to Foxie’s doll’s torso?!
The life of a chimpanzee’s doll isn’t easy. 😉
That’s putting it mildly! 😉
I started following about 4 months ago. I am in love with all of them and cannot wait for the 2 groups to meet!
Do you ever play music for the Chimps?
That’s a good question! I’ve often wondered! They showed Neggie “rocking out ” to Springsteen once-well, as close to rocking out as Naggie will ever get, which is a head not-so I’ve often wondered if they have a preference. But Willy B likes music, doesn’t he?
That was supposed to be Neggie and a head Bob. Oh, phones. ..
I think it would be interesting to see if the Chimps like music. And if they have a genre preference.
Hi Michelle – welcome! We’re so glad you found the chimps! We’ve been fortunate to have several musicians come out to play for the chimps, but they haven’t really indicated an interest in music per se. A few of the chimpanzees do occasionally enjoy watching videos, but their attention span with them tends to be short.
Hi Katelyn!
That’s interesting. Don’t laugh too much when I say that I’m envisioning Negra grooving to Lou Rawls, Missy getting everyone to dance to Bruno Mars, Burrito “display dancing” to The Rolling Stones, Foxie loving her some Donna Sommers, Jody swaying to Fleetwood Mac & Jamie walking the hill listening to Michael Jackson.
Love hearing about all the chimps. This blog makes me want to go take a nap! It was wonderful.
The sanctuary is so full of love and gratitude. Hugs to all…
What a wonderful blog. It puts a smile on my face to hear about the Chimps acting
like chimps and relaxing enough to just sleep as they have chosen to do. Still
smiling. Thank you.
Thank you for my meditation session with the best company in the world.