Bosque Santa Lucia, what it's all about

The beat of coming by water has been hot and heavy over the last two weeks. I often wondered if it weren't better hauling water, as I've done over the last 25 years. As I watered down several plants late this afternoon, I realized that conservation of a little piece of forest is indeed worth whatever it takes to accomplish it. Sometimes it's difficult to see beyond the dust lifted into the air by passing vehicles and wind; and there are times when the brilliant tropical summer sun blinds me with its exaggerated brightness. Then comes a break. Water at last - and nature contributes to the cause by providing a darker sky and a light sprinkle of rain to wet the red pedals of wild passion fruit flowers, only meters from a string of electrical wires going to the new well. Almost magic, a family of howler monkeys approach the reception center to eat flowers from the top of a yellow blooming tree. Then the music of two toucans as they chatter to one another from a distance of 100 meters from one another. Darkness falls and it's time to return to Santarem.