Archive for the ‘Conch’ Category
Sunday, June 13th, 2010
It was so hot this afternoon that even the local potcakes were sitting and cooling off in the water
The guys wanted to watch World Cup soccer so the gals and lil’ munchkin headed down Turtle Tail to “My” beach. I don’t know the official name of this lovely little spot that’s tucked away but everyone locally calls it “Dog beach.” And YES there were two potcakes from a nearby house that showed up to play in the water.
These two potcakes had a great time splashing, romping and just sitting in the water.
The water right now is like a bathtub………unusual for this time of year for it to be already so warm. Looks like there’s going to be lots of hurricane activity this year. The beach was perfect as munchkin played in the sand and the water and some locals came by conchin’.
Conchin' on the south side of Providenciales just down the road from Harbour Club Villas.
I chatted with two locals who were spending the afternoon looking for conch. Used to be a time where you would find loads of conch in the waters off this little beach and further down past Bristol Hills. They had so far only found one and then another one that I took pictures of.
A "medium sized" conch he told me......I thought it looked pretty large.
- He cracked the conch, pulled out the meat and continued through the water looking for more.
Sad to say, there weren’t many conch to be found in the waters………….not even escapees from the conch farm that would work their way down towards our villas.
Marta
Tags: beach, Beaches, Conch, Potcake, Potcakes
Posted in Animals, Beaches, Conch, Potcakes, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
Long Bay beach today was a simply spectacular sight with such clear calm water
I decided to head to Long Bay this morning for a nice long walk on the beach. The day was picture perfect as the ocean was so calm and clear and you could see all the sand ripples in the water.
Long Bay is one of the areas that is loaded with old, discarded conch shells
We walked down to the end of the beach passing by the remnants of several Haitien Sloops that ended up on the shores of the beach. I have some photos of the sloops on this blog. You have to be a little careful when walking as the prongs from old conch shells can do some damage if stepped on.
I saw a school of small fish in the water and was able to get some photos of them since the water was crystal clear
See the school of small fish in the foreground?
I spotted a nice piece of bamboo which we can use at Harbour Club Villas to drape a bouganvillea over. We’ll place it between the villas and tie bouganvillea branches to it to form an archway of sorts.
Mike carries home the bamboo I found on the beach
Check out Long Bay as it truly is a wonderful beach for walking and just enjoying a little bit of quiet heaven on our island. Perhaps we’ll see you there.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Tags: beach, Beaches, Conch, conch shells, Haitien sloops, Long Bay, Long Bay beach, sloops
Posted in Beaches, Conch, Flora and Fauna, Providenciales, Shells, Turks and Caicos Islands, fish | No Comments »
Monday, December 28th, 2009
This little Ruddy Turnstone dropped by for tidbits while we were having lunch at the Sharkbite.
Lunch at the Sharkbite in Turtle Cove Marina is always interesting……….the Ruddy Turnstones create quite a show as they vie for the choicest bits from the lunch time crowd and at night, you’ll be lucky to catch sight of the “resident” bull shark that hangs out looking for food.
Lined up all in a row along the ledge of the Sharkbite Restaurant's deck.
Ruddy Turnstones are a common visitor to our shores and some are even year round residents. They seem to love the Turtle Cove area but then you can hardly blame them especially with such a variety of great restaurants with an easy food supply. They become habituated and really, we shoudn’t be feeding them but it happens everywhere……..ie. the gophers or ground squirrels at the buffalo paddocks in Banff were always such roly poly fat little things from all the visitors feeding them.
Birdwatchers can see the Ruddy Turnstone almost anywhere especially in Turtle Cove.
Drop by the restaurants in Turtle Cove on your next holiday on Provo. Lunch was great at the Sharkbite……..some of the best conch chowder I’ve ever tasted!!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Tags: Birds, birdwatchers, Conch, conch chowder, Restaurants, Ruddy Turnstone, the Sharkbite, Turtle Cove, Turtle Cove Marina
Posted in Birds, Birdwatching, Conch, Flora and Fauna, Marinas, Places to eat, Providenciales, Restaurants, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Saturday, November 28th, 2009
The annual Conch Festival was held this afternoon down in Blue Hills
The Turks and Caicos Conch Festival is held each year in Blue Hills and today was the day for fun and conch tasting. The weather was a little cloudy but nonetheless all kinds of delectable conch dishes were prepared and samples served up by the islands best restaurants.
Delicious servings of conch were tasted by the crowds attending this annual event
The 6th annual Conch Festival had all kinds of events from marching brass bands, our island queen’s were in attendance, conch blowing, cultural performances, Mojito contest along with my favourite event… the Bamberra Rum Junk A Noo Rush.
Junkanoo is a must to see and enjoy........Blue Hills is the place to be.
You can't help but dance along with the drum beats, whistles and bells.
The colourful costumes of the swirling dancers combined with goatskin drums, cowbells, horns and other instruments. Everyone joins in as the performers go through some wild and uninhibited dancing as they bang on drums and move down the Blue Hills road. The word “rush” is given to this all-out form of dancing in the streets as people “jump up” to the island rhythms.
Mark your calendars. November is the month for the conch festival so come join us on Provo.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Tags: Blue Hills, Conch, Conch Festival, Junkanoo, Restaurants
Posted in Conch, Culture, Events, Providenciales, Restaurants, Turks and Caicos Islands, What to do | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.
Lionfish are also known as Turkey fish, Dragon fish or scorpion fish and they are now a serious threat to our coral reefs and surrounding waters here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If left to their own devices, lionfish could multiply in number into the millions eating up all marine life on the reef and then move into shallower waters where they will find conch and lobster. They are an extremely invasive species.
A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.
In June of 2009, Jodi and Snuba TCI donated $1200.00 worth of Lionfish catching gear….nets, gloves and collecting bags and gave it to the DECR on Provo. Jodi has caught at least 18 Lionfish on the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens also known as the White House Reef. I believe the first Lionfish sighted way back in 2006 was in this area. Today, all the dive operators are taking up the battle to catch any Lionfish they see out at the dive sites.
Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.
Lionfish are not poisonous but their spines are venomous and can cause a nasty sting to humans. They rely on lightening quick reflexes and camouflage to catch their prey. They are a perfectly safe and delicious food fish once the fins have been removed. What remains is a tasty filet that’s as good as grouper according to some. The DECR has launched a 12 month long lionfish tournament which will award $3,000.00 to the first fisherman to record 3,000 lionfish catches.
Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.
Here’s what you can do to help: Ask for lionfish at your favourite restaurants. Ask Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers or Jodi to show you how to catch them (other island dive operators can show you too). Join REEF and give a donation towards their research or just by collecting data on lionfish when you dive.
Thanks once again to Jodi of Snuba TCI and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for such great photos of Lionfish.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: Bight Reef, Conch, Coral Gardens, coral reefs, Flamingo Divers, Lionfish, lobster, reefs, Snuba, Snuba TCI, Snuba with Jodi, The White House Reef
Posted in Conch, Diving, Flora and Fauna, Providenciales, Restaurants, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater, fish | No Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Fishing at Bonefish Point ............. a deep channel runs almost up to the shore.
As we walked up towards Bonefish Point and the sandbar, we could see someone sitting on shore fishing. Clouds were gathering out to sea as a storm changed the colours to a soft pastel combination of hues.
These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.
Some local kids were fishing too with one fishing rod and a hand line but I’m not sure that they caught anything other than disturbing a blue crab, a cushion starfish and a conch.
A blue crab wasn't too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.
The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch while their Dad or uncle continued sitting and fishing.
Life is always interesting around the sandbar and on this day I lucked out, smiling kids, someone fishing, finding a small blue crab, a bright orange cushion starfish, a conch and of course, the muted colours of the ocean at low tide and passing storm clouds. Wow! What a spectacular and lovely day.
Marta
http://www.bonefishing.tc
Tags: blue crab, Bonefish Point, Bonefish Point sandbar, Conch, crab, Cushion Starfish, Fishing, starfish
Posted in Animals, Beaches, Conch, Crabs, Fishing, Flora and Fauna, Places for Kids, Places to go, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Conch season opened several days ago.
I didn’t know we had a conch season here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I found out yesterday that Conch season opened Oct 15th and will run until July 15. Conch has played an integral part in the islands’ history. The Taino and Lucayan indians subsisted on conch and the Bermudians and American Loyalists also fished for conch for their food as this was a cheap food source rich in protein. Conch from the Turks and Caicos Islands was actively traded with Haiti on board Caicos-built sloops. Millions of conch were dried and shipped reaching a peak in 1943 when 3.9 million conchs were exported
Conch assembly line on the beach in Blue Hills
Using a small hammer with a pointed head, the conch is “knocked” with a hole between the second and third row of nodes on the shell’s spire and this provides access to the tendon that holds the animal in its shell. The animal can then be pulled out by its claw which is removed with a fileting knife along with some tough skin and knobs.
The conch is "knocked" and the animal removed from the shell. The translucent "rod" can be seen against the pink of the shell.
The long, translucent and gelatinous rod know locally as “the pistol” or nature’s own Viagra is pulled out. This is quickly eaten as it is purported to be an aphrodisiac.
To many, this is the best part of the conch!!
On a really good day, about 1,000 conch can be harvested. In recent years a quota for export has been set at 1.6 million pounds which does not include the shells. Some of the discarded shells are used by local crafts persons to create some lovely looking gifts for our visitors to take back home for family and friends.
Conch shells lined up and ready for sale in Blue Hills.
Enjoy a selection of conch dishes when you are in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Are you brave enough to eat “the pistol”?????
Marta
Tags: Conch, conch shell, History, island history, queen conch
Posted in Animals, Conch, Flora and Fauna, History, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos History, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.
Another great day spent with friends on the water. As we waded to our little cay with the iguanas, I came across a pink tipped sea anemone. It appeared to be growing out of an old conch shell encrusted with marine life.
We saw many iguanas on the little cay and they were probably introduced some years ago.
The iguanas scurried away as we approached and this one was almost ready to put up a fight. He positioned himself so that he could hide in the brush under a sea grape bush if he needed to.
Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish
As we anchored off the pirate’s cave and Osprey Rock, we were treated to a pelican show…………..three Brown Pelicans and their synchronized dive bombing for fish show. It was spectacular to watch as I positioned myself in the water in the hopes that they would feed close beside me.
Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.
Little fish were jumping all around as the pelicans swooped time and time again.
I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.
And finally, front row seats for the best view in the world and a grande finale to the day. The sun sets over Turtle Rock, and we head back to Harbour Club’s Marina.
We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.
A perfect ending to another Provo day filled with sun, fun, good friends and alot of laughter. We wish the same for you as you make plans to visit soon.
Marta
Tags: Anemone, Brown Pelican, Conch, conch shell, Harbour Club Marina, iguana, Iguanas, Osprey Rock, pelican, pelicans, Pirate's cave, Rock Iguanas, Sea Anemone, Turtle Rock
Posted in Animals, Beaches, Birds, Birdwatching, Conch, Flora and Fauna, Iguanas, Marinas, Places to go, Providenciales, Sunsets, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater | 1 Comment »
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Fresh from the sea, a delicious conch salad made just for you!
Conch is a staple here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and something you should try when you are here on holiday. It takes many shapes and forms……a Ceviche type conch salad, conch fritters, cracked conch, conch fingers, curried conch, and conch chowder. Here’s the recipe for a delectable conch salad Turks and Caicos style. Yum, it is so good!!
2lbs Conch meat, diced 1c rice vinegar, ½ c red vinegar, 4 ea limes juiced, zest from 1, 2 ea red onion, diced fine, 1 ea yellow bell pepper, 1 ea red bell pepper, 1ea green bell pepper, 4ea garlic cloves, crushed to paste, 2T sugar, salt and black pepper to taste, 6-8 sprigs cilantro chopped stems and all. Hot sauce to taste. Split, pound and dice the conch meat and set aside. In a stainless steel bowl, place all remaining ingredients, mix well and let stand for 10 min. Pour mixture over the conch and mix well, and place in refrigerator for 45min before serving.
Conch salad with a chilled glass of your favourite white wine.
Stanford Handfield is the creator of these beautiful bowls made from conch and you can buy them locally along with other items that he makes. Many of our restaurants if not all have a variety of conch on their menus. Try some today!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Tags: conch salad, conch salad recipe, Restaurant, Restaurants
Posted in Conch, Odds and Ends, Places to eat, Providenciales, Restaurants, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
In Blue Hills, a local cleans a King Helmet shell so that it's ready for sale.
Piles of conch shells lie in the waters by Da Conch Shack in Blue Hills. In amongst them there were a few King Helmet Shells which seem to be much rarer than the Queen Conchs. I’m noticing more and more of these shells and Triton shells being harvested and sold in various places on Providenciales.
Low tide had exposed the piles of conch shells lying in the waters
It was low tide at the beach in Blue Hills where piles of conch shells lay in the water. I guess they get cleaned and sold by beach vendors. Behind the shells, you can see the pen containing live conch that supplies Da Conch Shack.
Taste some conch while in Blue Hills………right on the water!
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: beach, Beaches, Blue Hills, conch shell, Da Conch Shack, King Helmet, King Helmet shell, queen conch, shell, Shells, Triton, Triton Shell
Posted in Beaches, Conch, Flora and Fauna, Places to eat, Places to go, Providenciales, Restaurants, Shells, Turks and Caicos Islands, What to do | No Comments »