For the past few days I've settled in around my new digs near the botanic gardens and the Mcritchie Reservoir, trying to get a writing routine going. But there's been no less to discover. In the back garden of the house is a ravine where macaques live. Here's what they're up to at lunchtime today:
1. A monkey takes to the heliconia -- for a moment he sits higher than the forest in the full blessing of the sun -- copper silk hair turned precious gold -- as he stretches his back trying to increase his riches, the giant plane leaf bows for him and he drops back into the forest.
2. A large monkey excuses herself from the ravine and climbs a nearby tree. In the shadow where the trunk splits into branches she lays down, with her face on the bark and her arms folded under her belly for a nap.
3. On the path than runs like a seam between the house and the forest a mother and her almost-grown child sit together. The mother pushes the child's shoulder as she tries to pick through the fine brown fur on his back,until the child tips over. The mother continues, kneading the little monkey's back while he lays comfortably in the sun.