Category Archives: Flora and Fauna

Frangipani blooming

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You should see my Frangipani right now........beautiful blooms and the scent is divine!

You should see my Frangipani right now........beautiful blooms and the scent is divine!

Outside our bedroom window, my Frangipani is blooming to beat the band.  A profusion of white blossoms with yellow centres.

Several commercially cultivated Frangipanis grow here bearing beautiful pink, cream or red flowers

Several commercially cultivated Frangipanis grow here bearing beautiful pink, cream or red flowers

There’s a stunning pink Frangipani out at Da Conch Shack in Blue Hills. These next photos were taken there a few years back.

Such a pretty combination of pink blossoms with yellow centres

Such a pretty combination of pink blossoms with yellow centres

The Frangipani is also known as Plumeria

The Frangipani is also known as Plumeria

Last but not least is our local Plumeria Obtusa or Frangipani which has smaller, white and highly fragrant flowers that appear in clusters at the end of the branch. Usually the frangipani grows to the hight of a small tree or shrub reaching about 4 meters.

Local Frangipani or Plumeria grows wild with beautiful clusters of white flowers

Local Frangipani or Plumeria grows wild with beautiful clusters of white flowers

We have several wild Frangipanis growing at Harbour Club Villas. They are drought resistant and have large seed pods which burst open releasing winged seeds.

Seed pod on a wild Frangipani

Seed pod on a wild Frangipani

Wild Frangipani flowers have oblong petals that are five lobed and with yellow centres

Wild Frangipani flowers have oblong petals that are five lobed and with yellow centres

Frangipanis bloom in the spring and summer and as you drive around our island be sure to look in the bush. You’ll surely sight numerous trees covered with white blooms. Be sure to stop and smell these fragrant flowers.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Rain clouds over the ocean

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And finally the rains came..............over 5 inches recorded
And finally the rains came…………..over 5 inches recorded

Today, we woke up to overcast skies and RAIN. We’ve had no rain for so long that even the local bushes and shrubs had withered up leaves. Our large mahogany tree dropped all its leaves and had just started to produce new ones. First time this has happened ever since we’ve been here. We received over 5 inches of rain and unfortunately many places were flooded.

Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Opuntia Cactus

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Beautiful yellow blooms on an Opuntia Cactus at Harbour Club Villas

Beautiful yellow blooms on an Opuntia Cactus at Harbour Club Villas

All this dry weather and no rain has been ideal for our large Opuntia Cactus also known as Prickly Pear Cactus. It is blooming to beat the band with large bright yellow flowers.

A dried Almond leaf reveals two lizard or anole eggs.

A dried Almond leaf reveals two lizard or anole eggs.

A dried almond leaf was caught up in the spikes by the flower I wanted to take a picture of.  I gently pulled it out of the way and discovered two eggs hidden inside the curled up leaf. I can’t tell whether they are anole eggs or those of the curly tailed lizard.

Close up of the centre of the Opuntia Cactus flower

Close up of the centre of the Opuntia Cactus flower

Take time out during your day to see some of the natural beauty around you!

 

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Desert Rose

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To all you beautiful and special Moms out there.......HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
To all you beautiful and special Moms out there…….HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Wishing Moms everywhere a sun shiny day filled with love and laughter and a rose or two. Our Desert Roses here at Harbour Club Villas seem to be thriving in the dry weather we’ve had of late. They are loaded with beautiful pink and deep pink blooms.

Happy Mother’s Day!
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

The all important Mangrove

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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
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Mangroves planted by Flamingo Lake

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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
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

French Cay

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A magnificent stretch of beach with the clearest turquoise water at French Cay

A magnificent stretch of beach with the clearest turquoise water at French Cay

French Cay is a small uninhabited island about 15 miles due south of Providenciales. It was once the hideout of a pirate called Nau L’Ollonais also known as Francois L’Ollonais in the 17th century. He would ambush and capture passing sailing vessels and was a ruthless and cruel buccaneer.

Floating in the water was the only way to cool off......it was so hot

Floating in the water was the only way to cool off......it was so hot

The boat's shadow is reflected in the water and note the starfish.

The boat's shadow is reflected in the water and note the starfish.

The day of our trip to French Cay was certainly one of the best ever for weather. All the way there and back we could see the ocean floor as clear as day. One of the highlights was seeing so many orange cushion stars strewn along the sandy bottom.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Birds at French Cay

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A Laughing Gull displaying its breeding plumage

A Laughing Gull displaying its breeding plumage

Laughing gulls come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to breed in early summer and can be frequently seen. It might be a little early as I didn’t see many gulls at French Cay.

In breeding season, the laughing gull has a distinct black head and deep red beak which changes to a whitish head and black bill in the fall.

In breeding season, the laughing gull has a distinct black head and deep red beak which changes to a whitish head and black bill in the fall.

Further down the beach, I came across a beautiful osprey perched on a rib of  a boat that was sticking up out of the water.

A lone osprey surveys the surrounding seas as he rests for a moment.

A lone osprey surveys the surrounding seas as he rests for a moment.

The Osprey is a year round resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands and they prey on the abundant fish in our waters.

Preparing to take flight and catch his next fish

Preparing to take flight and catch his next fish

Ospreys that breed here year round are distinct as they have a very faint stripe behind the eye. The one pictured here is not from the region and has migrated here. Have a look at the eye and you will see a distinct black stripe.

Ospreys soar along our coastlines looking for fish rippling the water.

Ospreys soar along our coastlines looking for fish rippling the water.

Enjoy the Turks and Caicos Islands and I hope you will get to see many of our birds during your stay here.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Birds on French Cay

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An unusual shaped log is the perfect perch for this group of Brown Noddies

An unusual shaped log is the perfect perch for this group of Brown Noddy birds

I managed to slowly walk quite close to these birds all sitting on a large piece of drift wood. I looked them up in Richard Ground’s Bird book and found out they were a sea bird from the Tern family called Brown Noddy.

Note the numerous crabs on the log upright....not sure what they were doing.

Note the numerous crabs on the log upright....not sure what they were doing.

As I got closer I couldn’t believe how many crabs were scrambling on the part of the log closest to the water. The birds weren’t at all bothered by my approach and continued perching on the drift wood.

This Brown Noddy seems to be scolding "her" mate????

This Brown Noddy seems to be scolding "her" mate???? He's turning a deaf ear to her anyways!

The Brown Noddy is the largest of the Terns with a white forehead blending to gray nape, and small white (lower) half-eye ring. Noddies range throughout the world where the seas are warm. They breed on land in large colonies usually remote islands such as French Cay. 

Here's a close up of this beautiful seabird...the Brown Noddy

Here's a close up of this beautiful seabird...the Brown Noddy

Sea birds on French Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Look at the clear water and the spectacular colours.....unbelieveable.

 There were more birds but that’s for another time.

Happy bird watching.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc