A quiet beach and Flamingos

Another spectacular day....calm and clear and I dragged Mike along for a photo

Another spectacular day....calm and clear and I dragged Mike along for a photo. Who am I kidding....it was quite a few photos and Mike was very patient.

Our little “no name” beach (I call it My Beach or Dog Beach) is just down the road and tucked away. It’s know to the locals and several dogs who come to cool off in the water with or without owners. This is the favourite beach for our honeymoon couple Tim and Kristi who are staying with us now. Tim loves to bonefish and Kristi loves the beach so they are both happy.

Kristi loves this little beach and reads her book and cools off in the water.

Kristi loves this little beach and reads her book and cools off in the water.

Meanwhile, down the road a short ways, Tim was searching for bonefish. When we saw him, there was a school of bonefish that he had sighted. A flamingo flew right over his head as he was wading and I managed to catch it on camera………it’s a bit blurry but you can make out the flying flamingo. 

Here's Tim bonefishing with a flamingo flying overhead.

Here's Tim bonefishing with a flamingo flying overhead.

The water was so calm and besides Kristi, there were only three other people just strolling along in the shallow waters.

The three dots are people walking out in the shallow water.

The three dots are people walking out in the shallow water.

Today was again, another one of those days where the ocean was like a mirror. It was late afternoon and we had spent an hour taking photos of the flamingos…..at least we tried to get up as close as we could to them. They kept wandering over to the otherside.

Conference call as the flamingos gather together to squawk about the shrimps.

Conference call as the flamingos gather together to squawk about the shrimps.

This is the first year that I’ve seen more than a handful of flamingos. Usually we see no more than five or so but there were alot of them there on the lake and salina today.

The flamingos were different colours some a real vivid pink.

The flamingos were different colours some a real vivid pink.

The flamingos made reflections in the water as they slowly walked along occasionally feeding with heads under the water. If you are a bird watcher and here on vacation, make your way down Venetian Road past our villas at Harbour Club and you’ll see them. I’ll meet you there maybe???

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Bonefish Heaven

Today I experience a bit of Bonefish Heaven out on the flats by Pine Cay.

Today I experience a bit of Bonefish Heaven out on the flats by Pine Cay.

What an unbelieveable day we had out on the flats with our guide Darin Bain of D and B Tours. He ordered up this spectacular flat calm day with clear see through water and those reflections! We headed off towards Pine Cay and it didn’t take Capt. Darin long to sight the fish.

Joe got busy and caught his first bonefish of the day.........a beauty!

Joe got busy and caught his first bonefish of the day.........a beauty!

We couldn’t have picked a better day and I was just along to take the photographs. I’m not sure how many cards I filled or batteries but I made sure I wouldn’t run out. The colours of the ocean, the flats, the bonefish and the reflections in the water were all breathtaking. I don’t fish but found the whole experience exciting and exhilarating.

Joe releases a good sized bonefish one of many caught this day.

Joe releases a good sized bonefish one of many caught this day.

I think Joe hooked up at least 13 or so and landed some six. At one point when I was shooting from the water, he saw a hundred or so coming towards me from behind. What a sight to see!

Fish On...........Joe catches another one and check out the reflections in the water.

Fish On...........Joe catches another one and check out the reflections in the water.

Capt Darin has been fishing the Caicos Flats for over 10 years and he really knows the area like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish. His eagle eyes can see them when no one else can…..I was hopeless at seeing them but then I was too busy with the camera.

Joe smiles from ear to ear.......another bonefish. They're called "the ghosts of the flats"

Joe smiles from ear to ear.......another bonefish. They're called "the ghosts of the flats"

Joe and Christen are honeymooning at Harbour Club Villas and  Joe is a photo journalist with Field and Stream Magazine. This is his first time fishing for bonefish and I think we have him convinced that the Turks and Caicos Islands is the place for bonefishing.

Bonefishing is GREAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Bonefishing is GREAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands

A perfect day!  All you bonefishermen out there just have to head down to Provo and I’ll hook you up with Darin for a trip out onto the flats. Call me and I’ll arrange everything for you.

Tight Lines!

 

Marta

 

http://www.bonefishing.tc

Potcakes

I have a new Mommy and Daddy!!!!! I'm so excited and so are they.

I have a new Mommy and Daddy!!!!! I'm so excited and so are they.

Today was an exciting day for our honeymoon guests Christen and Joe. They had corresponded with the amazing volunteers at Potcake Place and filled out application forms to adopt one of these precious little potcakes. Jane, the founder of Potcake Place brought the pups over to Harbour Club Villas to introduce them to each other and for a little play/get acquainted session.

Potcakes need your help so that they can be placed in a wonderful "forever home" with a loving family.

Potcakes need your help so that they can be placed in a wonderful "forever home" with a loving family.

I honestly don’t know how it’s possible not to love these little charmers and then to have to choose. Ono will find a loving family to call home too.  

Here's Ono with her sweet little face and crooked ear.

Here's Ono with her sweet little face and crooked ear.

Christen and Joe couldn’t resist the  playful nature of a potcake puppy that they’ve already named Ava………Joe tells us she’s named after an Ava fishing jig. Joe’s passionate about his fishing and what could be better than a honeymoon in the Turks and Caicos, some bonefishing and wading in Turtle and Flamingo Lakes, a new family member called Ava and don’t forget some snorkeling for Christen too!! 

Ava gets a cuddle from Jane.

Ava gets a cuddle from Jane.

There are several ways in which you can help:   Volunteers are needed to carry potcakes to their new owners so if your flying from Provo to Canada or the States, please contact Jane at Potcake Place. Please give what you can as all the donations go towards fostering the puppies. Most importantly, if you can adopt a potcake and give it all the love and attention it deserves, just call me 1 866 456 0210 or email us and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Happiness is a new life full of love, laughter and Ava!!!!

Our wish for you......Happiness is a new life together full of love, laughter, sunshine and a potcake puppy named Ava!!!!

If you can be a courier, adopt or make a donation contact the Potcake Foundation and  PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

 

 

 

Bouganvillea and Praying Mantis

I'm sure I spent over an hour taking photos of this Praying Mantis on a bouganvillea.

I'm sure I spent over an hour taking photos of this Praying Mantis on a bouganvillea.

Here's a close up of the praying mantis and the white flower of the bouganvillea.

Here's a close up of the praying mantis and the white flower of the bouganvillea.

Bouganvillea comes in such a variety of colours and the deep pink or fushia is one of my favourites.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Flamingo Lake Reflections

Flamingo Lake was at its stunning best today .... flat calm with a mirror image reflection.

Flamingo Lake was at its stunning best today .... flat calm with a mirror image reflection.

I glanced out at the lake late this afternoon and the reflections in the calm waters took my breath away. I grabbed my camera and didn’t even have a chance to tell Barry where I was going. The ripples and the colours kept changing as the sun started to sink over the hill to the right of our villas at Harbour Club.

The sun started to set and tinged everything with an orangey glow

The sun started to set and tinged everything with an orangey glow

As I walked along the road the water was churning………….”nervous water” as the fishermen call it. The bonefish were tailing and rippling up the calm on Flamingo Lake.

The bonefish were tailing and rippling the surface of Flamingo Lake

The bonefish were tailing and rippling the surface of Flamingo Lake

In the foreground of the photo you can see all the circles and ripples created by tailing bonefish.

I zoomed in on this photo which does show a definite bonefish shape.

I zoomed in on this photo which does show a definite bonefish shape.

For all you bonefishing enthusiasts out there, fishing would have been great this evening. Our guests at Harbour Club Villas can just walk across the road and into the lake. We see bonefish tailing all the time and you can watch from your villa windows.

Bonefishing is great in the lakes by Harbour Club as well as the flats. Come on down and join us.

 

Tight lines!!

 

Marta

 

http://www.bonefishing.tc

Lionfish in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Lionfish are also known as Turkey fish, Dragon fish or scorpion fish and they are now a serious threat to our coral reefs and surrounding waters here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If left to their own devices, lionfish could multiply in number into the millions eating up all marine life on the reef and then move into shallower waters where they will find conch and lobster. They are an extremely invasive species.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

In June of 2009, Jodi and Snuba TCI donated $1200.00 worth of Lionfish catching gear….nets, gloves and collecting bags and gave it to the DECR on Provo. Jodi has caught at least 18 Lionfish on the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens also known as the White House Reef. I believe the first Lionfish sighted way back in 2006 was in this area. Today, all the dive operators are taking up the battle to catch any Lionfish they see out at the dive sites.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish are not poisonous but their spines are venomous and can cause a nasty sting to humans. They rely on lightening quick reflexes and camouflage to catch their prey.  They are a perfectly safe and delicious food fish once the fins have been removed. What remains is a tasty filet that’s as good as grouper according to some. The DECR has launched a 12 month long lionfish tournament which will award $3,000.00 to the first fisherman to record 3,000 lionfish catches.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Here’s what you can do to help:  Ask for lionfish at your favourite restaurants. Ask Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers or Jodi to show you how to catch them (other island dive operators can show you too). Join REEF and give a donation towards their research or just by collecting data on lionfish when you dive.

Thanks once again to Jodi of Snuba TCI and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for such great photos of Lionfish.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Tiki Hut Halloween

A pretty lady bug and a scarey witch with skeleton hands.

A pretty lady bug and a scarey witch with skeleton hands.

When Doug Camozzi puts on a Halloween party, it’s the only place to be especially since Michael Jackson and Elvis were sighted. The parking lot by the Tiki Hut was full of bumble bees, pirates, fairies, monsters, princesses and others too numerous to mention. Even Dorothy (aka Chevette) was there and took a break to sit on Scarecrow’s knee!

Michael was joined by some of his scary friends.

Michael was joined by some of his scary friends.

Dorothy and pumpkin Scarecrow made a lovely couple

Dorothy and pumpkin Scarecrow made a lovely couple

I’ve never seen so many colourful, imaginative costumes and so many people were dressed up from 10 week old baby fairies to toga clad Caesars and we all thought “Nicky Nicolette” had simply the most gorgeous legs!  Corey Forbes and friend provided Caribbean music, there were face painters decorating kids’ faces, the jumping castles for the kids along with an assortment of games and of course delicious food……..a grand buffet or burgers and fries served up by the great Tiki Hut staff . Drinks were over flowing too!

This gory and gastly duo were enough to scare everyone away

This gory and gastly duo were enough to scare everyone away

 

It's a family fun affair for kids of all ages big and little too.

It's a family fun affair for kids of all ages big and little too.

Lil' Miss Glamour gal with her splendid hat was a hit.

Lil' Miss Glamour gal with her splendid hat was a hit.

These two little munchkins were so adorable and cute

These two little munchkins were so adorable and cute

Even little babies got into the fun of the night.......she's so precious!

Even little babies got into the fun of the night.......she's so precious!

This couple dressed in Roman togas ate grapes and waved cooling fans

This couple dressed in Roman togas ate grapes and waved cooling fans

Contrary to rumours, Nicolette and Jungle Man/Tarzan did not arrive at the party together

Contrary to rumours, Nicolette and Jungle Man/Tarzan did not arrive at the party together

 

No we're not the three Musketeers!!!

No we're not the three Musketeers!!!

Doug, in costume, sure knows how to throw the best parties.

It's Doug under that costume and he sure knows how to throw the best parties.

Well guys, if you weren’t at the Tiki Hut this evening you missed out on all the fun! Thanks Doug and all the  Tiki Hut helpers. We’re going to be there for sure next year and I can’t wait. I have so many more photos but can’t post them all. Be sure to head down to the Tiki Hut in Turtle Cove for lunch or dinner………great specials of the day, great food and even greater friendly staff and service.

See you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Island Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!!  Tonight’s the night that the little gremlins will be out and about. Head down to the Tiki Hut for the island’s biggest and oldest Halloween party.

Our daughter (she's 29 now) dressed up as a scarey witch.

Our daughter (she's 29 now) dressed up as a scarey witch.

Ania says “Admit that he is the cutest thing ever Dad….. Well, let’s be honest, he’s not as cute as me but he comes a close second!!!! See our Grand-puppy below!!!!

Kona skunk is just bored with the whole affair.

Kona skunk is just bored with the whole affair.

Aren't I cute!!!!

Aren't I cute!!!!

And one more photo of Kona……………..

Look at me.............too cute hey Barry??

Look at me.............too cute hey Barry??

Barry’s comment was “That girl has too much time on her hands sending dress up photos of her dog.”

Have a great Halloween.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com