Posts Tagged ‘greenhouse’

Jody’s Spa Day

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

We all know Jody knows how to relax (see this the old Lessons from chimpanzees post with Jody nesting outside and this classic photo retrospective of Jody’s yoga poses).

Well, a couple of weeks ago Jody took a serious liking to the sandbox in the greenhouse. The greenhouse must have warmed up the sand nicely. While Connie and I cleaned the playroom, Jody truly appeared to be in her own private spa, oblivious to the world.

jody in sandbox

 

jody sandbox eyes closed

P.S. Don’t forget that we’ll be celebrating Jody’s birthday this Sunday – Mother’s Day!

Lazy Play

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

The chimps were very playful this morning, but after breakfast, full bellies and a warm greenhouse threatened to put everyone to sleep. Thankfully, they found a way to relax and play at the same time.

greenhouse lounging

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

This is the time of year when the “greenhouse” (the outdoor area converted to a solar oasis with lexan panels) really shines – literally and figuratively. Spring is really windy in Cle Elum and today was particularly blustery. But the greenhouse is completely protected from the wind. Since it was sunny, it was downright balmy in there. Perfect lounging weather.

Burrito, who once shunned the greenhouse, spent the entire day out there. Here he is getting every last morsel of food from an avocado peel:
burrito eating avocado

Jody also relaxed outside in the greenhouse all day, enjoying the fresh straw:

jody lay in straw

jody up close with straw in greenhouse

Burrito in the greenhouse

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Although the girls have been spending the majority of the daylight hours playing, grooming, nesting, and resting in the greenhouse since it was completed, Burrito has been much more hesitant to go out. He usually has the indoors to himself during the day while everyone else enjoys the 75 degree weather outside. Even the lure of food hasn’t been enough to tempt him outside for more than a couple of very nervous minutes (and everybody knows how much Burrito loves food!).

He’s making remarkable progress, though. In the last few days, he has begun to come out into the greenhouse for a few minutes at a time (even with no food incentive). This morning, he spent about 20 minutes in the sun grooming Jody and playing with his human friends. I don’t think I can express how happy we all are to see him gaining so much confidence!

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Negra

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

It’s been so exciting to watch the chimps enjoy the greenhouse these past few days. Today was completely overcast, with temperatures in the upper 30′s for most of the day. Even so, it’s about 60 degrees in the greenhouse, and the chimps have been out there all day.

Even Negra has abandoned her usual spot on the play room catwalk to make nests outside. This is more than we could have hoped for.

web Negra greenhouse nest 1_MG_5521

Negra greenhouse nest 2_MG_5548

In fact, the greenhouse has created a new problem for us. As I write this, at 5:30, I am waiting for Jamie to come back inside so I can close the door for the night (the greenhouse does get cold at night). But she doesn’t seem to care how late I have to stay :) What a good problem to have!

Greenhouse Update

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

We’re getting closer! Volunteer Jim Spencer has been coming all the way from Whidbey Island to help with construction, and together we’ve nearly completed the framing.

1-12-10 greenhouse from pasture IMG_5299

1-12-10 greenhouse north and east IMG_5280

1-12-10 greenhouse south and east IMG_5295

The greenhouse won’t be heated, but the polycarbonate panels should trap enough solar heat to make it comfortable on a sunny day. This morning, Annie spent a little time outside, despite the temperature being in the 30′s. With the greenhouse, she should be able to hang out in the outdoor area a lot more often.

1-12-10 annie_MG_5293

Also, while the chimps love to eat snow, they don’t like to walk in it. Foxie will appreciate not having to tip toe through the cold snow to get to where she wants to go.

1-12-10 foxie 1_MG_5309

1-12-10 foxie 2_MG_5313

Greenhouse construction continues

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

More progress on the greenhouse, thanks to Jim and John Spencer. Today was cold, but when the sun was out you could imagine how nice it will be inside once we’re done.

greenhouse 12-5-09_MG_4933

Construction volunteers needed

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Construction continues this week on the greenhouse project, as we prepare to pour the concrete floor for what will be the 6′ x 10′ human area of the chimps’ winterized outdoor enclosure. Once our final building permit has been issued, we will begin constructing the framework for the polycarbonate greenhouse panels…weather permitting!

We are currently looking for more volunteers to help with construction. If you have building experience, or if you are simply willing to do manual labor in cold weather, we would appreciate your help! Please email jb@chimpsanctuarynw.org for more information.