North West Point Walk

The road was washed out in two spots...............quite deep too but we pushed on through to explore and find this new beach.

The road was washed out in two spots……………quite deep too but we pushed on through to explore and find this new beach.

Yesterday we set off to explore a beach along the North West Point coast line that we’ve never been to but had heard about from some of our recent Harbour Club Villas guests. We had turned around the day before as it was getting dark and we didn’t know how deep the washed out part of the road was.

Wow! A spectacular rocky shoreline with powdery sand beaches

Wow! A spectacular rocky shoreline with powdery sand beaches

This stretch of beach is between the North West Point and Malcolm Roads beach and we basically walked the beach in both directions. There are some great dive sites off this beach and two of them are named Shark Hotel and Black Coral Forest.

Typical vegetation of the area including this beautiful Cactus Tree just starting to bloom.

Typical vegetation of the area including this beautiful Cactus Tree, Consolea nashii, ( locally called horse pear) just starting to bloom.

We watched a pelican being harrassed by sea gulls as it skimmed and dove into the water catching fish. The gulls would literally sit on top of the pelican in hopes of stealing a tasty morsel of fish.

I'm not sure how well you can make this out but the seagull was dancing on the pelicans head

I’m not sure how well you can make this out but the seagull was dancing on the pelicans head

I’ll post more tomorrow as we had such a great time seeing this part of Provo. It was our first trip out here and I’m sure we’ll return many more times.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Osprey

An osprey on our walk out along the beach to the North West Point

An osprey on our walk out along the beach to the North West Point

We went for a long walk along the beach towards the North West Point where we spotted a magnificent osprey. He had just caught a fish which is what they feed on exclusively.

Ospreys will soar along the coast line as they search for ripples made by fish

Ospreys will soar along the coast line as they search for ripples made by fish

The osprey is found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands where it is a year round resident. Every time we head out to the North West Point, we always see them. This time, I managed to get up fairly close and was happy at how well the photos turned out.

A great beach for beachcombing and an added bonus was to see this osprey.

A great beach for beachcombing and an added bonus was to see this osprey.

The osprey was a little agitated as I got closer and he didn't want to stop feeding on the fish

The osprey was a little agitated as I got closer and he didn't want to stop feeding on the fish

The osprey that breed in the Turks and Caicos Islands are a distinct sub-species that have a faint stripe behind the eye. Ospreys that are not from the region have a pronounced black stripe. If you enjoy bird watching you’ll definitely see ospreys as you wander some of the beaches.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Night Heron

Night Heron on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Last night we had a late night visitor at Harbour Club Villas.......this Yellow-crowned Night Heron surprised our guests.

This heron is frequently seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands and its main food is land crabs. I think the one at the villas roosts in one of our neem trees as he has surprised us several times. On one of my trips out to Blue Hills it was low tide and I spotted a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Apparently they will go into the sea at low tide in search of marine crabs.
Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is usually grey with prominent black and white head. It is primarily nocturnal but as you can see from the photo, they will come out during the day and stalk their prey. 
Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

On your next visit to Provo, keep your eyes open as you are sure to see a variety of birds.  Birdwatching is great in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marta

Flamingo sunset

A solitary flamingo at sunset with the reflexion of the clouds in the waters of Flamingo Lake

A solitary flamingo at sunset with the reflection of the clouds in the waters of Flamingo Lake

What a sight………the sun setting behind a new house being built on the lake and a lone flamingo. A glittering pathway of  shimmering gold appeared on the surface of Flamingo Lake while the reflexion of the clouds made for a truly spectacular moment. I had seen the flamingos close to the water’s edge and grabbed one of our Brazilian guests who is a photo journalist and off we went to capture these shots. As soon as we arrived, the two flamingos headed further out on the lake.

Flamingo silhouette with the warm colours of another spectacular Provo sunset

Flamingo silhouette with the warm colours of another spectacular Provo sunset

Hope you get to see flamingos on your next visit to our beautiful islands.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Flamingos Part 2

Greater Flamingos in the salt ponds of Grand Turk

Greater Flamingos in the salt ponds of Grand Turk

On an all too short visit to Grand Turk, a girl friend and I spent at least an hour getting these shots of the Flamingos in the town salina. They didn’t seem too worried about us and just went about their business of searching for food.

The West Indian Flamingo is part of the crest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stand on either side of the shield.

The West Indian Flamingo is part of the crest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stand on either side of the shield.

The flamingo’s long legs and neck make them look quite awkward but it enables them to inhabit deeper water than other wading birds. Their specialized upside down beaks contain rows of bristles (lamellae) through which they strain the water for minute organisms which they can swallow without raising their heads.

There were quite a few flamingos wading the salt ponds on this particular day.

There were quite a few flamingos wading the salt ponds on this particular day.

The Town Salina in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, is surrounded by people, houses and roads. Still, this doesn’t disturb the flamingos which like to feed there.  The flamingos are often joined by pelicans and herons.

Birdwatching is a favourite occupation here in our islands. If you are a bird watcher or birder, come see all the different varieties of birds found in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Flamingos on Flamingo Lake

I glanced off our deck and spotted three specks in the lake and when I grabbed the binoculars.......sure enough there were three flamingos.

I glanced off our deck and spotted three specks in the lake and when I grabbed the binoculars.......sure enough there were three flamingos.

Today there were three West Indian or Greater Flamingos out in the lake and that’s something we don’t often see. Usually they are further down and more in Juba Salina. I grabbed my camera and ran down to take some photos. It was interesting watching the flamingos feed as they would do a little stomping dance and then put their heads in the water. Apparently they feed on small organisms which they strain out of the mud by filtering it through their unusual, upside-down beaks.

One flamingo was quite a bright pink and the other much paler.

One flamingo was quite a bright pink and the other much paler.

North Caicos has a large flock of flamingos with as many as 1000 birds inhabiting Pumpkin Bluff Pond better known as Flamingo Pond.

The last time I took photos of Flamingos near our villas was just after Hurricane Ike

The last time I took photos of Flamingos near our villas was just after Hurricane Ike

If you’re a bird watcher or birder, come and see the large variety of birds in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hopefully you’ll catch a glimpse of these beautiful flamingos.

See you soon on Provo,

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Blue Hills and Pelicans

What fun this little guy was having as he ran in and out of the water.

What fun this little guy was having as he ran in and out of the water.

This little guy was having so much fun on the beach by the pier out at Blue Hills.  The pier is a favourite perch for numerous brown pelicans and terns. Birdwatching is fun down in Blue Hills.

This handsome pelican was perched on one of the pillars on the pier at Blue Hills

This handsome pelican was perched on one of the pillars on the pier at Blue Hills

We often see Brown Pelicans and a good place for birdwatchers and birders to see them is down in Blue Hills. They glide along the water’s edge looking for fish and plummet from above down into the water as they dive for fish. 

This pelican was not too worried as I took his photo.
This pelican was not too worried as I took his photo.

Blue Hills is one of our local communities right on the ocean and one of my favourite spots for taking photos. Visitors are encouraged to take some time to enjoy the beauty of this part of Providenciales.

See you in Blue Hills!
Marta

Green Heron

Doesn't look like there's any fish here!!!

Doesn't look like there's any fish here!!!

The Green Heron is one of the smallest herons in the Turks and Caicos Islands and this one keeps coming back to our pool. He has made himself at home and complains loudly when guests disturb him. It’s local name is the “Kow Kow” because of the loud call he makes. Birdwatchers and birders enjoy the variety of birds they can see around Harbour Club Villas.

Birdwatching is great in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com