Hard to believe but the water really is this colour......Malcolm Roads beach and you can see dive boats in the background
Join us for some summer fun in the islands. The turquoise water sparkles under the glorious sunshine and all our beaches are just waiting for you. The snorkeling is great and divers, just grab your dive buddy and you’ll enjoy exploring our abundant underwater sealife and coral reefs.
See you soon,
Marta
Same place but on a different day............a Southern Stingray lies partially buried in the sand
It was low tide in the shallows quite close to the beach at South West Harbour Bluff just off Osprey Rock. I’m not sure if you can see, but a Southern Stingray was lying in the sand and it was really huge.
You can see the distinct triangular shape of the stingray
Rays are fairly docile with eyes and gill slits ontop of a grey to dark brown body. A stingray eats constantly day and night and this one seemed to be resting while covered with sand. Only its eyes were exposed. As soon as I got too close (I was really careful not to agitate it) it turned and moved away.
You can see the cloud of sand in the foreground of the photo as the stingray moved away
A ray is a cartilagenous fish closely related to the shark and its natural predator is the hammerhead shark.
I hope you get a chance to see these graceful creatures as you vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marta
Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in
Yet again we hit a perfect day even with the thunderclouds hovering over the ocean and creating such colours in the water.
Eva got out of the water as this stingray (see the shadow?) came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming
First we sighted the stingray and Eva quickly got up on her feet as we grabbed cameras. We were busy snapping photos of the ray when we noticed a water spout forming. Water spouts are basically a tornado that forms over water and is only the second one that I’ve ever seen.
Here's a closer view and Wow, look at the water colour due to the dark clouds
Meanwhile, the stingray was still gliding along in the shallows and I managed to get several really good photos.
The stingray was cruising along in the shallow waters by Osprey Rock
The Southern Stingray usually lies hidden under a thin dusting of sand and feeds on crabs, small fish and worms. It does have a long poisonous spine but it usually takes off at the first signs of someone getting nearer.
Look at this beauty!!
I can’t believe that we were so lucky to see and watch two incredible sights and both in one day. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have such an abundance of subjects to photograph so make sure you have your camera ready at all times. The South West Bluff area and Osprey Rock are both full of interesting sea creatures so take a look once you’re on island.
Marta
Ambulance ready to head out for the presentation ceremonies.
A huge donation of a much needed ambulance was made yesterday by the Westlake Church of Christ in Indiana who are our guests for the week at Harbour Club Villas. Every second year they gather together with Provo’s Church of Christ and this year they donated an ambulance to the Myrtle Rigby Health Clinic.
Providenciales has a new ambulance donated by the Westlake group
A fine looking ambulance with Turks and Caicos Medical written on the side will be put to good use to help the people of our island. The keys were handed over yesterday in a presentation ceremony. G and G Shipping also donated the shipping costs for this worthy and worthwhile cause. Well done everyone and a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all!!!!!
Stay healthy,
Marta
Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.
The above photo shows a test from the Great Red Footed Urchin. I didn’t realise that both sand dollars and sea biscuits are urchins too.
Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test
A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand
Close up view of an urchin test found on the beach at the North West Point.
I just love finding these and you’ll be able to look for them too when holidaying here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hope to see you soon,
Marta
Kai collects sea urchin tests or skeletons found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point
Every trip out to this particular stretch of beach at the North West Point results in finding sea urchin skeletons or “tests”. There were hundreds of them this particular day and Kai and Sandra couldn’t believe their eyes at how many had been washed up and were lying in the seaweed.
Some sea urchin tests lie half buried in the sand whilst others were on the seaweed
There are more than 700 species of sea urchins and the name means sea hedgehog, hedgehog being one meaning of the word “urchin”. Some of the most frequently seen colours are black, red, brown, purple and pink.
My favourite sea urchin tests are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful
Here's a close up ......... it's so interesting especially with that greenish tint.
Did you know that sea urchins in large populations are a good thing as they graze on algae and prevent algae overgrowth on reefs?
Happy shelling,
Marta
Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds
Another walk out at the North West Point where the beach is usually strewn with sea urchin tests (skeletons). If you walk out into the water you will find many live sea urchins which are black and black with red. These sea creatures apparently come in many different colours.
Long-spined Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks and the coral reef just below the water out at the North West Point
Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.
The bottom side of a sea urchin has five teeth with which they eat algae. They are found in areas where there are lots of seagrass, seaweed and other foods.
Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators
Close up of a long-spined or black sea urchin
Marta
Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach
We went out to Long Bay today as we were told that another Haitien Sloop had landed up on the shore. It must have come in under the cover of night with probably over 100 illegal Haitiens. We’ve had such calm seas which makes for an easier crossing.
The handmade sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach
The beach and trail to the road is littered with discarded clothing, backpacks, shoes and even a cooking pot.
The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water
The waves were quite strong when we were out at Long Bay today and I’m sure the sloop will get quite a pounding.
One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road
Illegal Hatiens arrive on our southern shores all too frequently……….some are caught and sent back home. Their boats are left on the beaches wherever they make landfall. These sloops are left to the elements and gradually are broken up by the wind and waves.
Marta
Heavenly ocean this evening.............flat calm and the ocean blended into the sky with no horizon
We couldn’t resist heading out of Harbour Club’s Marina this evening to watch the sunset on a flat calm ocean. On one side of the boat the ocean and sky blended into one and on the other, the sunset.
We didn't get a vivid sunset this evening but the calm, smooth ocean was tinged with soft hazy colours.
Soft rosy pinks and oranges of an island sunset were reflected in the calm ocean waters.
Another perfect evening and sunset on Providenciales.
Marta
Oh so cute..........these two "Little Miss Turks and Caicos Islands" posed for the camera on the beach in Grace Bay
I tried so hard to get some unposed shots but these two cuties must have been in some beauty pageants or even watched their big sisters.
Smiling kids having fun in the calm waters of Grace Bay
Marta