A Trip Down Turtle Tail

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A lone flamingo feeds in the Juba salina just a short ways from Harbour Club Villas

I decided on taking one of our fishing guests down Turtle Tail to see for myself where he could access some flats in order to do some bonefishing.  Must say, this area is still as beautiful as ever but with many newly constructed houses going up.

I haven’t seen the flamingos for quite an age and was excited to see this, lone beauty.

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I couldn’t get him to stop feeding and to lift his head up……….too busy “vacuuming” through the silty bottom.

 

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My beach also known locally as Dog Beach was just awesome with all those turquoise colours

 

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Looking towards Jim Hill and the new villas being built beside Bajacu

 

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Bonefishing flat with some of the Five Little Cays in the distance

 

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Old conch shells piled up on shore

 

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Now this has some potential for some DIY bonefishing

 

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Jet skiers were out on this beautiful day

 

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Rocky southern shoreline with secret pathway down to the water’s edge

 

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Private gazebos overlooking stunning turquoise waters

 

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Mangroves down Turtle Tail with some sweet bonefishing spots

 

Harbour Club Villas and Marina on a bonefishing lake in Providenciales

 

Looking across Flamingo Lake towards the villas at Harbour Club and a lone fisherman

Flamingo Lake and a perfect afternoon for some bonefishing

The all important Mangrove

Mangroves help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems

Mangroves help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems

Mangroves protect shorelines from storm and hurricane winds, waves and floods and also serve as valuable nurseries for fish and conch. The shallow waters surrounding the pheumatophores or aerial roots provide a sanctuary and food for juvenile fish, turtles, lobster and other marine species.  They thrive in salty conditions and their coverage of coastal shorelines and wetlands provides many species of birds, crustacea and fish with a unique habitat.

Mangroves are important breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals.

Mangroves are important breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals.

Mangroves found in the Turks and Caicos include the Red Mangrove, Black Mangrove, White Mangrove and Button Mangrove. The trees generally grove between 6 and 12 feet but in sheltered coastal areas the Red Mangrove can be found growing as high as 32 feet.

Mangrove roots extending out under the water

Mangrove roots extending out under the water

Mangroves can grow densley providing shelter and nurseries for bonefish

Mangroves can grow densley providing shelter and nurseries for bonefish

Mangroves have a seed capsule that is a self contained pre germinated plant. It matures on the tree and then drops into the water. They can float quite a ways before finding a spot to plant themselves

Mangroves have a seed capsule that is a self contained pre germinated plant. It matures on the tree and then drops into the water. They can float quite a ways before finding a spot to plant themselves

Mangrove flowers

Mangrove flowers

 The bark of the mangrove tree has been used to make tea for stomach ailments such as ulcers and diarrhoea. The flowers and fruit feed birds and other wild life.

The pheumatophores help to stabilize the sediment and protect coastal areas from erosion

The pheumatophores help to stabilize the sediment and protect coastal areas from erosion

Protect our mangroves here in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Marta

Mangroves planted by Flamingo Lake

Every child planted a mangrove sapling along Flamingo Lake by Harbour Club Villas

Every child planted a mangrove sapling along Flamingo Lake by Harbour Club Villas

A few weeks ago, I ran down to the road and there was a group of children from Holy Family Academy Catholic School busy planting Mangrove saplings. Officers of the DECR were there to show them how as they worked their way along Flamingo Lake and the road by our villas at Harbour Club.

Students and teacher plant a mangrove beside the lake waters

Students and teacher plant a mangrove beside the lake waters

Eric from the DECR is about to show this young student how to plant her seedling.

Eric from the DECR is about to show this young student how to plant her seedling.

Time out for a real squishy mud dance !

Time out for a real squishy mud dance !

I would say that at least 30 mangrove saplings were planted this day.
I would say that at least 30 mangrove saplings were planted this day.

I can’t say how great it is to see new mangrove saplings along this stretch of the lake. The kids and everyone worked so hard…………..WELL DONE and a big thankyou to all.

Marta