Category Archives: Places to go

Southern Stingray

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Same place but on a different day............a Southern Stingray lies partially buried in the sand

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

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

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

 

http://www.diving.tc

Water Spout

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Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in

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 came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming

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

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 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!!

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

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins Part 3

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Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.

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

Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test

A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand

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.

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

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins Part 2

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Kai collects sea urchins found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point

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

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 test are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful

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.

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

 

http://www.diving.tc

Island girls

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Oh so cute..........these two "Little Miss Turks and Caicos Islands" posed for the camera on the beach in Grace Bay

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

Smiling kids having fun in the calm waters of Grace Bay

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

North West Point Walk Part 2

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Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

We stopped to sit for a while and take in the view of the waves breaking on the shore. You can just make out the Amanyara resort way down at the end of the coastline.

Pat takes a break and just above her head you can make out the Amanyara Resort

Pat takes a break and way past her at the other end, you can make out the Amanyara Resort

As we walked along the beach towards Malcolm Roads and the Amanyara, I came across something just lying there in the sand. It was an egg and the best I could come up with on the internet was that it looks like a sandpiper egg. This would make sense and most of the birds we saw were Ruddy Turnstones, a common visitor here to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Once we got onto Malcolm Roads beach we were ready to hit the water. We had such fun riding the waves and playing in the surf.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

 

What a great way to end the day………….playing in the waves as they came crashing into the beach at Malcolm Roads.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fool’s Regatta 2009

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The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

The kids had such fun racing handmade rafts down at the new Bight Park

Barry and I headed down after three to take in the festivities at the annual Fool’s Regatta on Saturday. It is always such fun and this year the emphasis was on the kids. Food and drinks along with boat races, tug o’ war, hobie wave racing and a couple of beautiful caicos sloops.

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

Exhausted after paddling hard in the raft race to get to the finish!

The proceeds from this year’s Regatta went to the Volunteer Fire Fighters and the new National Sailing Centre.

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

Guess what this little fellow is going to be when he grows up?

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

We watched the exciting Hobie Waves racing and each one had to have a child on board.

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

The fire fighters team in the tug o' war............the rope broke three times until someone went and found a less weather beaten rope

North Caicos was well represented by this beutiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

North Caicos was well represented by this beautiful Caicos Sloop called Messenger II

Such a fun day………lots of sunshine, great events to watch and best of all we ran into people we hadn’t seen in a while. A time to relax with friends and just enjoy a great day at the beach. We’ll be sure to see you at the Fool’s Regatta in June of next year.

See you then!

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Barry’s Birthday

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We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

The water today was like a bathtub and we spent hours out at Osprey Rock and stopped at Taylor Bay on the way back.

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

Another beautiful day on the water spent with good friends……….you just can’t beat it!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Rocky Shoreline

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A close look at shells attached to the rocks along the rocky shoreline

A close look at shells attached to the rocks along the rocky shoreline

Yesterday’s boat trip to South West Harbour Bluff at low tide gave me an opportunity to explore the rocky shore line close to the pirates cave and Osprey Rock. I took photos of these tiny shells clinging onto the rocks but it was difficult with the water flowing over.

Beautiful shells on the rocks revealed interesting critters that I discovered once I had put them up on my computer

Beautiful shells on the rocks revealed interesting critters (check out the blue colour) that I discovered once I had put them up on my computer.

Can you pick out the small three coloured hermit crabs peeking out from the shells?  These tiny crabs called Clibanarius Tricolor are found in tidal pools and on intertidal and subtidal rocks. They have blue legs with red stripes and I didn’t even notice this when I was taking the photos. These shells were very pretty and in the close up you can see the blue striped legs coming out of two of the shells.

Tidal rocks had clusters of shells and to my surprise, small tricoloured blue hermit crabs in them.

Tidal rocks had clusters of shells and to my surprise, small tricoloured blue hermit crabs in them.

Blue legs with red stripes of the very small TriColoured Hermit Crab

Blue legs with red stripes of the very small TriColoured Hermit Crab

More neat and interesting things that I found along the undercut shore line at low tide will be posted in days to come. There are so many wonderful things to see here in the Turks and Caicos Islands…..every time you turn around there’s something new to photograph.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lemon Cafe

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We went to Lemon Cafe for lunch today and really enjoyed it.

We went to Lemon Cafe for lunch today and really enjoyed it.

Time to try something new (at least to us) on Provo.  Some of  Harbour Club Villas’ guests had mentioned dining at Lemon and had brought back some brochures with sample menus. Today was the day and we drove into The Village at Grace Bay to find this charming place that’s a little tucked away but well worth looking for.

I loved the breeze coming through the restaurant which is surrounded by lush vegetation

I loved the breeze flowing through the restaurant which is surrounded by lush vegetation

Lemon is a restaurant with a distinct Moroccan flare and flavour with a touch of  Mediterranean influence. The owner, Mark showed us to our table and on the menu was a delicious assortment of soups, salads and sandwiches plus tapas, tagines and b’stilla. I know this has nothing to do with the food but I must say I just loved the rich looking Mexican tile floors that looked like burnished leather and also the breezy openess.

View from the outside looking in.....neat lanterns hanging from the trees.

View from the outside looking in.....neat lanterns hanging from the trees.

We’ll definitely return especially for dinner the next time as I want to see what Lemon looks like at night and see the outdoor garden seating area with all the lamps lit up.  

Check out Lemon soon and perhaps we’ll see you there!

Bon Appetit!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com