Category Archives: Flora and Fauna

Lobster Season Opens

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The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

Lobster season opens today and I’m sure all available boats will be out  today fishing for lobster. The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is also known as langouste, rock lobster, crayfish and crawfish and they tend to shelter in crevices of rocks and coral reefs during the day and coming out at night to feed. They have a striped body, brown-gray in colour with yellow spots on the segmented tail.

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

 In the Turks and Caicos Islands lobster season is from Aug 1 to March 31 and some of our fishermen learned to dive at a young age and have inherited their knowledge of lobster from their fathers or other family members.

Yum! Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Yum! Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Boats usually carry team of 2 to 4 fishermen and since the fishing boats have a shallow draft, they can stop directly over patch reefs on the Caicos Banks. The spiny lobsters are found hiding in crevices and under coral outcroppings.

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

 

I couldn't resist putting in this photo (sorry Laura!!) but this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

I couldn't resist putting in this photo as this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

Our guests at Harbour Club Villas will be heading to Baci’s Ristorante this evening where John will be preparing a delicious lobster feast for this evenings diners. Come on down to Baci’s for fine dining in an Italian terrazzo style ambiance nightly fresh fish and lobster specials. Hope to see you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Starfish

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A starfish or Cushion Star in the shallows at Bonefish Point

A starfish or Cushion Star in the shallows at Bonefish Point

On numerous trips out to Bonefish Point, we have always spotted these brilliantly orange Cushion Stars which are thick bodied species of starfish with short legs. On this particular day, the sky and water were exceptionally clear and the cushion star was actually lying on the sand in very shallow water.

Colours range from brown to orange, red and yellow

Colours range from brown to orange, red and yellow

Cushion Stars are echinoderms which are found decorating our reefs all around the world. Here in the Turks and Caicos Islands we find and see them frequently in many areas usually on sandy bottoms and amongst the sea grass.

Tube like feet enable cushion stars to move along the sandy sea bottom

Tube like feet enable cushion stars to move along the sandy sea bottom

All of the echinoderms move around with the use of tiny tube feet many of which have suction cups on the end of them.

Tina gently lifts a cushion star to take a closer look

Tina gently lifts a cushion star to take a closer look

This sea star ( the Cushion Star) is easily viewed and identified because of its size, colour and thickness and because it is usually found close to shore.

The brightly orange coloured cushion star has a hard shell with raised knobby spines

The brightly orange coloured cushion star has a hard shell with raised knobby spines

Take a look off the edges of the sand bar at Bonefish Point……….you’ll be sure to see several of these brightly coloured cushion stars. We’ve seen smaller brown and more yellowish ones out there too.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

“My beach”

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Late afternoon and the gentle waves had thrown up a shell on the beach

Late afternoon and the gentle waves had thrown up a shell on the beach

An afternoon trip to “my beach” just down the road from Harbour Club Villas and there I found a beautiful shell just laying there on the smooth sand. The sun was getting low and the water was shimmering and dancing as gentle waves rolled in. Everywhere I go, there seems to be a perfect photo just waiting to be snapped.

 

See you on the beach!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Kids like fishing too!!

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Wayne and his kids fishing off the docks at Harbour Club Villas

Wayne and his kids fishing off the docks at Harbour Club Villas

Wayne Hall of Ocean Vibes dive operation took some time out to show his boys how to fish. They set up on our dock at Harbour Club Villas where Wayne moors his boat. He’s originally from Grand Turk and is the only Turks and Caicos native to own and operate a dive operation on Providenciales.

I got one, I got one!!!

I got one, I got one!!!

The kids were so excited when they started to catch fish. Dad helped to release them into a bucket so that they could take a good look at them.

Wayne takes the hook out as the kids watch

Wayne takes the hook out as the kids watch

Next time you want a great scuba diving adventure in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we’ll put you in touch with Wayne and Ocean Vibes.

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Long Bay Beach

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The eastern end of Long Bay beach is so quiet and peaceful

The eastern end of Long Bay beach is so quiet and peaceful

I can’t believe that it took me this long to discover another little piece of paradise. Several weeks ago when Yogi and Pat were visiting, we stopped to take a look at this area of Long Bay. I had heard that this was where the kite boarders went for lessons because of the shallow nature of the water and also, sadly in my opinion, another new development (5 stories high!!!!) is going to be built.

The water was like a mirror and storm clouds were threatening.

The water was like a mirror and storm clouds were threatening.

It was late in the afternoon so the water was warm and so very calm with not a breath of wind. We just lazed in the shallows enjoying the last few rays of the sun as storm clouds brewed out at sea.

Footprints outlined in the sand along the shoreline

Footprints outlined in the sand along the shoreline

Yogi took a walk and I snapped this photo of the footprints he left behind and the deepening shadows. I just love this time of day for picture taking. He called us to come and see what he had found…………a blue crab in the water. I took several photos and then realized that my digital takes photos under the water……….it just goes against the grain to put a camera into the water and friends tease me as I always hold it up high trying not to get it wet. When we got home and I put the photos up onto the computer, I was again surprised as the photos showed not one but two crabs who were mating.

A blue crab mating pair is called a "doubler"

A blue crab mating pair is called a "doubler"

The male cradle carries the female for two to seven days until molting is imminent. This serves two purposes: the male protects the female from predators and it assures that the male will be present when the female’s shell is soft and she is able to mate.

The male blue crab defends his mate as my camera came closer

The male blue crab defends his mate as my camera came closer

Once the female molts, the male releases her. She’ll only mate this one time in her life while her shell is soft. The male turns her upside down so that their abdomens are touching and copulation will last some five to twelve hours. Once again the female is clasped and cradle carried until her shell has had a chance to harden. The male will continue to mate with others while the female won’t release any eggs until 2 to 9 months after mating.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

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

Sea Urchins

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Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Another walk out at the North West Point where the beach is usually strewn with sea urchin tests (skeletons). If you walk out into the water you will find many live sea urchins which are black and black with red. These sea creatures apparently come in many different colours.

Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks under the water

Long-spined Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks and the coral reef just below the water out at the North West Point

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

The bottom side of a sea urchin has five teeth with which they eat algae. They are found in areas where there are lots of seagrass, seaweed and other foods.

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Close up of a sea urchin

Close up of a long-spined or black sea urchin

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc