This cute snorkel gal was eager to head into the water for some snorkeling at the Bight Reef also known as the White House Reef at Coral Gardens
Snorkeling Gal
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Category Archives: Turks and Caicos Islands
Leeward Beach
Late afternoon .... deck chairs made for two and a gentle, pastel ocean blue
One of my favourite photos taken in the late afternoon one day out at Leeward Beach. Shooting through some wispy sea oats and grasses, two empty deck chairs sit overlooking a spectacular hazy turquoise ocean. Such gentle pastel colours mixed with a brooding cloudy sky set the tone for this photo.
Marta
Frangipani blooming
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
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
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
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
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
Rain clouds over the ocean
- 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
Sandbar at Bonefish Point
As the tide flows out, the sandbar at Bonefish Point is in just inches of water.
It doesn’t get any better than this……a beautiful afternoon and the boat is anchored out off the sand bar and a beautiful beach. Time for some great photos as low tide means just inches of water over the sands of the sandbar that has been built up out at Bonefish Point.
Soft sand and cool clear water ....... that's what the Turks and Caicos is all about.
Marta
Opuntia Cactus
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 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
Take time out during your day to see some of the natural beauty around you!
Marta
Marina Sunset
Another one of our glorious sunsets at Harbour Club Villas. Cocktail hour or two sitting on the benches over looking the Marina.
A wonderful way to relax after a busy day. We go up on the hill and just sit enjoying the view as we watch the sun set. I sure missed this while in Miami for all those weeks.
Marta
Desert Rose
- 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
The all important Mangrove
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 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
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
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
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
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
Eric from the DECR is about to show this young student how to plant her seedling.
Time out for a real squishy mud dance !
- 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