Category Archives: Turks and Caicos Islands

The Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

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The colourful wings of the Monarch butterfly........wings have white spots on the outer margins, and have orange patches.

The colourful wings of the Gulf Fritillary........wings are a brilliant orange and the undersides have large silvery spots.

I was wandering along the road side by Harbour Club Villas and spotted this pretty Gulf Fritillary Butterfly also called a Passion butterfly. It wasn’t the least bit concerned that I was there and seemed almost to pose for the camera. I had never before noticed that butterflies have a coiled proboscis by which they sip liquid food. This tube-like proboscis is a long, flexible “tongue.” It uncoils to sip food, and coils up again into a spiral when not in use. Gulf Fritillaries’ favourite nectar is provided by the passion flowers and the vine’s leaves are the caterpillar’s preferred food.

Here's a close up shot of the Monarch Butterflies' coiled proboscis.

Here's a close up shot of the Gulf Fritillary's coiled proboscis.

The Monarch butterfly stayed still for quite a long time and I was able to get up very close without it flying away.

This magnificent butterfly stayed still for quite a long time and I was able to get up very close without it flying away.

The Gulf Fritillary is the most common large butterfly in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Gulf Fritillary is the most common large butterfly in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands have some 35 species of butterfly.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wild flowers

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On our way back home from the gym, I spotted a brilliant flash of red in the bush. I told Barry to stop and back up. Sure enough it was my first sighting of the Wild Potato that starts blooming before Christmas.

On our way back home from the gym, I spotted a brilliant flash of red in the bush. I told Barry to stop and back up. Sure enough it was my first sighting of the Wild Potato that starts blooming before Christmas.

 

Stunning red flowers on the Wild Potato also known as Ipomoea Microdactyla.

Also, the other day I spotted my first flowering wild orchid at Harbour Club Villas. Beautiful tall Encyclia Altissima with its yellowish brown petals and purple and white striped labellum. The labellum is the lip like part of the orchid which attracts those insects that pollinate the flower, and acts as a landing platform for those insects.

The tall, slender Encyclia Altissima orchid in bloom and such a heavenly scent too!

The tall, slender Encyclia Altissima orchid in bloom and such a heavenly scent too!

The Turks and Caicos Islands have so many different wild flowers that visitors can watch for as they enjoy their island  holidays.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Taylor Bay Sunday

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Barry enjoying a beer.........look at how clear the water was on Sunday.

Barry enjoying a beer.........look at how clear the water was on Sunday.

On clear and calm days, it’s hard to get any work done around the villas. One look at the ocean from the hill and you just have to put everything aside, pack a lunch and lots of drinks and soak in the beauty of the day. The boat skims over the shallow waters of the ocean on the south side of Provo and sometimes it’s so clear that you can see right to the bottom.
Malaika is quite independant now as she strolls along the water's edge at Taylor Bay wearing her water wings.

Malaika is quite independant now as she strolls along the water's edge at Taylor Bay wearing her water wings.

I spent ages trying to capture a starfish with the foamy edge of a wave coming to shore. Tough to do as my little camera has a slow shutter and I missed many shots!

I spent ages trying to capture a starfish with the foamy edge of a wave coming to shore. Tough to do as my little camera has a slow shutter and I missed many shots!

Wading back to the boat and time to head home.

Wading back to the boat and time to head home.

A sunset beach wedding was about to take place as we slowly motored out of Taylor Bay

A sunset beach wedding was about to take place as we slowly motored out of Taylor Bay

A beautiful archway of flowers was set up on the beach for a sunset island wedding. We met the groom as he slowly made his way down the beach to greet his guests. The bride wasn’t seen until we started pulling out of the bay to head for home.
Providenciales and the Turks and Caicos Islands have the most wonderful beaches for those wanting an exotic island beach wedding.
Contact me if you are planning a wedding or family occasion.
Marta
For weddings, check out our website at
http://www.cloudnine.tc   

Leave Only Footprints

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A little piece of heaven out on the beach by Osprey Rock

A little piece of heaven out on the beach by Osprey Rock

Two calm days in a row and we just had to take advantage of the great weather we’ve been having………..two boating and beaching days in a row.  Today we went off to Osprey Rock at South West Bluff. A few locals were line fishing out at Bonefish Point so we selected to moor off the pirate’s cave.

I wandered inland from the beach and WOW! the surf was high breaking on the reef line. You can just make out the white line of breakers in the photo.

I wandered inland from the beach and WOW! the surf was high breaking on the reef line. You can just make out the white line of breakers in the photo.

The views were spectacular as I wandered over the rocks and it looks like lots of roads have been bulldozed there now.  We haven’t been out here for a while and I was disturbed by the amount of garbage strewn around. Please bring garbage bags with you and let’s all do our part to keep these fabulous areas clean for everyone to enjoy. I know I will next time!  

A beach playground all to herself as Malaika plays with her sand toys.

A beach playground all to herself as Malaika plays with her sand toys.

 

Malaika was entranced by making prints in the sand with her toys.

Malaika was entranced by making prints in the sand with her toys.

A great day today! We ended up as usual at Taylor Bay and my next post will be of photos from Saturday and today.

Please help by taking all your trash or garbage with you and LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS.

LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS in the sand!

LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS in the sand!

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beautiful Bush Part 2

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White starlike flowers of the Jacquemontia Havanensis growing all over some small shrubs and trees.

White starlike flowers of the Jacquemontia Havanensis growing all over some small shrubs and trees.

Chains of white stars covered the bush, bright yellow Necklace Pod with pea flowers hanging off the end of the branches, a lone Marsh Gentian in hues of purple and clusters of pink with yellow Sea Sage and orange coloured Black Sage also known as Lantana. There were so many different wild flowers in bloom!

The Necklace Pod had long sprays of brightly coloured yellow flowers and apparently flowers throughout the year here.

The Necklace Pod had long sprays of brightly coloured yellow flowers and apparently flowers throughout the year here.

I think this is a Marsh Gentian....there was only the one and it had four petals in a beautiful lilac shade with dark purple centre.

I think this is a Marsh Gentian....there was only the one and it had four petals in a beautiful lilac shade with dark purple centre.

Pretty pink with yellow clusters of the Sea Sage or Lantana. It was used as a tonic for chicken pox and skin irritations.

Pretty pink with yellow clusters of the Sea Sage or Lantana. It was used as a tonic for chicken pox and skin irritations.

Black Sage or Lantana with its' bright orange flowers on a small bush was in full bloom. Often used as a sore throat remedy in bush medicine.

Black Sage or Lantana with its' bright orange flowers on a small bush was in full bloom. Often used as a sore throat remedy in bush medicine.

There were numerous other flowers but I’ll leave those for another time.

 

Our beautiful island bush is filled with all kinds of interesting and colourful plants and wild flowers. Have a look for yourself!

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beautiful Bush

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The Devil's Potato winds and twists its way up trees and utility poles and has showy pinwheel shaped white flowers

The Devil's Potato winds and twists its way up trees and utility poles and has showy pinwheel shaped white flowers

On the way back from the sports centre behind the Graceway IGA, I spotted a flash of white. I told Barry I was going to run down the road and grab a picture or two. Well an hour and a half later I had a whole bunch of photos of some of the wild flowers blooming along Turtle Tail Drive (Venetian Road) by our villas. I had neighbours stopping to see what I was photographing too. The beautiful island bush is alive right now with a wonderful selection of vines and flowers.

Passionflowers are blooming and you can spot them easily while driving along the roads.
Passionflowers are blooming and you can spot them easily while driving along the roads.

Another white flowering vine is the Cynanchum and there are at least three endemic species. These are so pretty with clusters of tiny white, star shaped flowers. You have to look closely but once you spot them, they are found all over.

Clusters of tiny stars..........the Cynanchum has a sweet fragrance.

Clusters of tiny stars..........the Cynanchum has a sweet fragrance.

Here's another Cynanchum and this one has furry flowers also star shaped.

Here's another Cynanchum and this one has furry flowers also star shaped.

The lavender blue pea flowers of the Butterfly Pea were blooming in profusion.

The lavender blue pea flowers of the Butterfly Pea were blooming in profusion.

The wild alamanda stands out with its' brilliant yellow showy flowers.
The wild alamanda stands out with its’ brilliant yellow showy flowers.

There’s more to come and I’ll leave them for my next post. Keep an eye out for these beautiful wild flowers and vines.

Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Colours in Blue Hills

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A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

I love wandering through Blue Hills as there is so much there to photograph and usually that fantastic backdrop of the turquoise ocean.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

The Calm before Tomas

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Clouds gather over Coral Gardens beach earlier this evening as we all wait for Tomas to arrive

Clouds gather over Coral Gardens beach earlier this evening as we all wait for Tomas to arrive

All hurricane preparations were completed with the help of friends and guests and since it was calm and still, we took a quick trip to check out Cooper Jack Marina and the north shore. It was beautiful over at Coral Gardens, even a couple of people in the water down further on the beach. All the thatch was off the umbrellas in readiness for Hurricane Tomas’ arrival.

The calm before the storm as Yogi and Pat check out the water.

The calm before the storm as Yogi and Pat check out the water.

We’re expecting the worst of the hurricane at about 5 am Saturday and they’re saying it will pass about 26 miles away off the North West Point of Providenciales.

 

 

Stay safe everyone in the Turks and Caicos Islands!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Evening Bonefishing

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A peaceful and calm setting as a lone fisherman wades the lake by Harbour Club Villas.

A peaceful and calm setting as a lone fisherman wades the lake by Harbour Club Villas.

This evening I caught sight of Paul, one of our bonefishing guests, out in Flamingo Lake. It was a beautiful still evening just made for some bonefishing.

Someone else was also looking for fish as a Green Heron perched on a dead branch to view the lake waters.

Someone else was also looking for fish as a Green Heron perched on a dead branch to view the lake waters.

The Green Heron finds a tasty snack in the waters of the lake.

The Green Heron finds a tasty snack in the waters of the lake.

I know the heron was sucessful in finding food but I'm not sure if Paul caught any bonefish?

I know the heron was sucessful in finding food but I'm not sure if Paul caught any bonefish?

 

Evenings are a great time to catch some of our water birds and to see bonefish tailing in the lake.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.bonefishing.tc