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Monthly Archives: December 2012
Reddish Egret
This beautiful Reddish Egret struck a beautiful pose for me.
The Reddish Egret is probably the most typical heron in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This one was seen in Flamingo Lake perched on a tree branch in the water. These birds have a pinkish base to their beaks, a a beautifully reddish neck.
Something must have caught his eye.
They wade in search of small fish in the shallows of the lake
Green Turtles Released
One of the turtles waiting to swim free in the waters at the Bight Reef
What a tremendous afternoon it was today. We were all enthralled and so happy to watch the release of six, two year old green turtles. These turtles were all born in the Turks and Caicos Islands and brought to the Providenciales Conch farm to be raised until capable of surviving in the ocean. The bigger the turtles the better chance for survival. Once grown it is hoped that they will return to nest here in the Turks and Caicos. Today was the day as the six turtles headed into the waters at the Bight Reef by Coral Gardens.
Carefully carrying his precious cargo of green turtles.
Malaika is a little unsure as she takes a closer look at the turtles
Lots of kids came to watch and these two little ones were so excited.
Such beautiful markings on this little two year old green turtle.
This little guy poked his head out to get a better look at everything.
There are very few nesting turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the green turtle is a threatened species. Apparently fishing for turtles in many parts of the world is not allowed but often they are caught by local fisherman and eaten by residents. In the Turks and Caicos Islands you cannot take a nesting turtle or catch one that is less than 20″ in diameter.
Eiglys Trejo holds Frack, one of the turtles she helped feed and care for at the Conch Farm.
These little guys were flapping their "flippers" ready for their first big swim in the waters by the Bight Reef.
The big moment as everyone watches them make their way into the ocean.
Free at last....a heart warming sight!
Scooting down the sand towards the water.
Into the water we all go.
As soon as they got to the water, it wasn't too long before they swam away and over towards the reef.
Hoping to see these turtles again as they grow and hopefully return to nest here.
So wonderful to see them swimming free.
Everyone was smiling and happy to see these little guys return to their natural habitat. I’m so glad I got to experience this moment but I’m still hoping that one day I will see hatchlings making for the water.
I’m still smiling as I write this.
Today was a wonderful day on Providenciales.
Marta
Flamingos on Flamingo Lake
Such fun watching these beautiful birds.....Oh the colours are magnificent!
A call from a friend that the flamingoes were fairly close to the road sent me rushing down to take some photos. They were just past the narrows on Flamingo Lake and up the road from our villas at Harbour Club Villas. I was fascinated and took photos for over an hour. They seemed to all be sleeping and it’s not a myth – flamingos actually DO stand on one leg. It appears to be a comfortable resting position. Occasionally they would rouse, scratch themselves such as the one above and then go back into their one legged position.
Resting on one leg is the preferred position for sleep.
My favourite photo of three preening flamingos
Flamingos are pink or orange or white depending on what they eat. Flamingos eat algae, crustaceans, small fish and brine shrimp when they’re available most of which contain pigments called carotenoids. These ones were sporting some amazingly brilliant red, hot pink, coral and orange plumage.
A flock or "flamboyant" of Caribbean flamingos performing a water ballet!
Tall, wading birds with webbed feet. Flamingos have elongated, slender necks and legs that are longer, relative to body size, than any other bird.
The West Indian flamingo has a beak with a black tip, pink to red/orange middle, and pale yellow base near the eye. The upper bill is often lighter in colour.
Such beautiful birds and I was lucky to be able to watch and photograph them.
These two had a brief altercation as they faced each other with outstretched necks and sometimes with growling vocalizations.
Look at the leg positioning! How do they balance like that?
Preening and ruffling their feathers.
How lucky we are to be able to have the opportunity to observe and enjoy these gloriously colourful birds in their natural habitat. Hope to see all you birdwatchers and birders here on Providenciales. Happy bird hunting and here’s hoping you’ll get to see our flamingos.
Marta
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