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
The Atabeyra anchors off Little Water Cay also known as Iguana island.
Isa and Chris say their "I do's" with Pastor Wayde Coleby officiating
A wedding toast to the bride and groom on board the Atabeyra
A champagne toast as the happy couple and family sails into a Provo sunset.
This unusual angle creates a spectacular shot..........well done Claudio!!
Arriving back on shore, bouganvillea flowers are tossed at the wedding couple
Surf's up as the waves come crashing in at the North West Point
Its been really windy of late……shades of hurricane season and a tropical wave effecting our area. We’ve had rain showers which we love as much as our gardens do and a persistenly strong, gusty wind. All this is great for beachcombing and walking the shore line out at the North West Point.
White breakers on the reef and a rippling line of white froth flowing towards the beach
Beachcombing is a great way to spend an afternoon. See you on Provo!
Marta
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!!!
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
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
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.
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
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"
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
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
Hard to believe but the water really is this colour......Malcolm Roads beach and you can see dive boats in the background
Join us for some summer fun in the islands. The turquoise water sparkles under the glorious sunshine and all our beaches are just waiting for you. The snorkeling is great and divers, just grab your dive buddy and you’ll enjoy exploring our abundant underwater sealife and coral reefs.
See you soon,
Marta
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
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
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
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 (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
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 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!!
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
Ambulance ready to head out for the presentation ceremonies.
A huge donation of a much needed ambulance was made yesterday by the Westlake Church of Christ in Indiana who are our guests for the week at Harbour Club Villas. Every second year they gather together with Provo’s Church of Christ and this year they donated an ambulance to the Myrtle Rigby Health Clinic.
Providenciales has a new ambulance donated by the Westlake group
A fine looking ambulance with Turks and Caicos Medical written on the side will be put to good use to help the people of our island. The keys were handed over yesterday in a presentation ceremony. G and G Shipping also donated the shipping costs for this worthy and worthwhile cause. Well done everyone and a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all!!!!!
Stay healthy,
Marta
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
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.
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