Category Archives: Crabs

Hermit Crab’s New Home

Posted on by
Reply
Here he is again carrying his very distinctive red, tube style home.

Here he is again carrying his very distinctive red, tube style home.

Hermit crabs or Soldier Crabs are usually very particular about their shells. Shell switching is not uncommon as the crab searches for the perfect shell. Barry and I had laid out four shells we had and it seemed that his preference was for the West Indian Top Snail shell.

We helped him shed the red tube and he gradually worked his way into his new home.

We helped him shed the red tube and he gradually worked his way into his new home.

The hermit crab has four tiny legs to hold the shell in place…a fourth leg that clasps the shell and the fifth that holds the shell.

Here's a close up of the Hermit Crab's fourh and fifth legs that grasp onto the shell.

Here’s a close up of the Hermit Crab’s fourh and fifth legs that grasp onto the shell.

Another view of the additional much smaller legs as the Hermit Crab moves into his new shell home.

Another view of the additional much smaller legs as the Hermit Crab moves into his new shell home.

In the wild, Hermit or Soldier Crabs feed off of coconut trees, leftovers from humans, and they will scavenge dead organisms, such as fish and other crabs. By the way, if they can’t find an adequate shell, they will use such man made things as plastic glasses, tiny one person jam jars, PVC pipes or whatever they can scrounge.

OK..........finally it's time to move in !

OK……….finally it’s time to move in !

Almost set to go and settling in.

Almost set to go and settling in.

Home Sweet Home and we're on the road again.

Home Sweet Home and we’re on the road again.

Hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I enjoyed photographing this little guy and helping him along in finding his new home.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Hermit Crab’s New Home

Posted on by
Reply
Four new homes lie ready and waiting for this Hermit Crab I found in our wild area today

Four new homes lie ready and waiting for this Hermit Crab I found in our wild area today

This little Soldier Crab was maneuvering quite easily with his four inch, closed pipe for a home. Barry watched him while I ran to get my camera and play realtor by looking for some shells that might make a new, more traditional home for him.

The reddish pipe or tube like container didn't look all that comfortable.

The reddish pipe or tube like container didn’t look all that comfortable.

Checking out a Tulip Shell for size and fit??

Checking out a Tulip Shell for size and fit??

Here's a West Indian Top Snail shell that our hermit crab is taking a look at.

Here’s a West Indian Top Snail shell that our hermit crab is taking a look at.

Hermit crabs are the only crabs that are able to walk forwards!!

Hermit crabs are the only crabs that are able to walk forwards!!

This shell is also known as the Magpie Shell as is a species of large edible sea snail

This shell is also known as the Magpie Shell and is a species of large edible sea snail

The West Indian Top Snail shell is very popular indeed as “housing” for the large land hermit crab species and over the years we have gathered quite a few for occasions such as this. They are found at water’s edge and the snail is known as “wilks” or sometimes as “whelks” in the islands here where they are popular food item.
Tomorrow’ post will show the hermit crab moving into his new “shell” home.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
 

Babalua Beach Day

Posted on by
Reply
Babalua Beach is one of those wonderful little beaches a bit hidden and out of the way.

Babalua Beach is simply a lovely spot for lazing in the water, snorkeling around the rocks or the reef just off shore, pelican watching, and exciting for the kids too. It is on the other side of the Turtle Cove Marina boat channel.

A toes in the sand and clear water day

The water is always crystal clear as you wiggle your toes in the sand and the shallows as the sun creates sparkling prisms on the water.

Dive boat returning from diving Provo’s spectacular reefs.
Snorkeling in the shallows around the rocks
Always fun to see all the colourful fish.
The rocks are home to numerous little crabs.
A pretty blue crab scuttles along the rocks….hard to catch in a photo.
Kids love to explore as they climb onto and around the rocks.
What a spot to photograph our national bird, the Brown Pelican.

Babalua is full of activity. I managed to get up real close to the pelicans and the resulting photos were spectacular. The Caribbean brown pelican, has a wingspan of around 5 to 8 feet and a weight of 6 to 12 pounds. Endless entertainment as they dive bomb into the water and scoop up fish in their large bills, which can hold up to 3 pounds. Their bills are a natural sieve that will drain out all of the excess water.

A swooping pelican comes in for a landing.
Feasting on some small fish.
The rocks create a shallow calm area to enjoy the water.
A treasure found while snorkeling….that’s a sea urchin test.

 

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

 Eve finds and takes a closer look at a spectacular King Helmet shell while snorkeling off Babalua beach a while ago. They have a thick, glossy “shield” on the inside of the aperture on the bottom of the shell. This can be carved into cameos, and so they are sometimes called “cameo shells.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

Keep a watch for these striking shells as you snorkel. The waters are brilliantly clear and hopefully you will enjoy seeing a variety including the Queen Conch.

 

And here’s a monster turtle cruising the shallows. It was the biggest one I’ve seen to date.
Providenciales is blessed with the most extraordinary beaches.
We’d love to have you enjoy our “Beautiful by Nature” islands.

Take some time to travel around Providenciales and while away a few hours at our more hidden beaches that are tucked away. Here at our villas…….Harbour Club Villas and Marina, we can give you ideas as to where you might go. We’ve been on Provo for over 20 years and know all the best spots. Hope to see you soon!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sandbar at Bonefish Point

Posted on by
Reply

A beautiful walk from the little beach by Osprey Rock all the way to Bonefish Point

A high light of any trip out to South West Bluff is the beautiful walk from the beach at Osprey Rock down to Bonefish Point.

Osprey Rock in the distance as we wade through the shallows

A mangrove is salt tolerant and look at the roots.

Miles of beach with only us walking along the shoreline.

Bone fisherman stalking the flats for the elusive bonefish

A Haitien sloop washed up along the shore

Sad to say, we often see these wrecked Haitien sloops carrying probably 100 or more people to what they think will be a better life. Many are caught and repatriated.

Pin cushion sea stars love the sandbar. We found many of them.

That’s an amazing flat but make sure you have your fishing license with you if you plan to fish

Turquoise waters and brilliant white powdery sand

Mr Crabby shows his fighting form.

In search of starfish at the sandbar

A picturesque, dream of a day at Bonefish Point

A perfect afternoon to wade into the water at Bonefish Point

On another rather cloudy day, a storm changed the colours to a soft pastel combination of hues.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

Some local kids were fishing  with one fishing rod and a hand line but I’m not sure that they caught anything other than disturbing a blue crab, a cushion starfish and a conch.

A blue crab wasn't too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

A blue crab wasn’t too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch while their Dad or uncle continued sitting and fishing.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch.

Life is always interesting around the sandbar and on this day I lucked out, smiling kids, someone fishing, finding a small blue crab, a bright orange cushion starfish, a conch and of course, the muted colours of the ocean at low tide and passing storm clouds. Wow! What a spectacular and lovely day.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Under the Dock at Harbour Club

Posted on by
Reply

anemonesIMG_2207

Anemones growing under the floating docks at Harbour Club’s Marina

A beautiful late afternoon spent lying on the docks taking photos of the marine life and world under our marina docks at Harbour Club Villas. Our guests had wandered down every evening of their stay and were coming back to tell me of all the sightings. I just had to see for myself.

IMG_2226

Lying on the docks taking photos of the pale anemones with my reflection in the water.

blogaIMG_2541.JPGa

Many pretty squirrel fish were darting around under the docks

blogcrabIMG_1886

The common blue crab was feeding on growths covering sturdy ropes laying in the water.

blogfishIMG_2380.JPGa

The beautiful neon yellows of the juvenile schoolmaster snapper.

blogfishIMG_2444.JPGa

Here’s some grunts, foureye butterfly fish and schoolmaster snapper.

blogfishIMG_2471.JPGa

Squirrel fish and schoolmaster snapper captured together

blogfishIMG_2547.JPGa

Love this photo of a little squirrel fish

blogIMG_2267.JPGa

Sea Anemone in pretty pink

blogIMG_2274

Pretty but not sure what this is??

blogIMG_5993

A fairly large barracuda kept prowling past.

blogP1000878.JPGa

Excitement when a guest spotted this octopus……..thanks Bryan for the photo.

IMG_2289

Red-banded fanworm swaying with the currents.

IMG_7851a

Octopus trying to hide from Mike’s camera……what a beauty and changing colours.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

An upside-down jellyfish.

I’m really amazed at all the marine life found down at the docks. Our guests at Harbour Club Villas love to wander down there in the evenings to discover all sorts of creatures, many birds, even sighting turtles and a four foot reef shark a few weeks ago.

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Flora and Fauna at Harbour Club Villas

Posted on by
Reply

blogfanoleDSC_6946

An anole lizard wards off visitors on Harbour Club Villas’ office deck.

Another week of photographing some of the critters wandering through the gardens at Harbour Club Villas along with our beautiful wild orchids that have just started to bloom. I came home the other day to this anole lizard guarding our deck. He wasn’t too pleased to see me but did pose long enough for me to snap a photo or two.

blogfanoleDSC_6977

Cute anole and he had the most gorgeous colours on top of his little head.

 

blogfermitIMG_9315

A pretty shell house for this little hermit crab……..he didn’t want to go to the pool!

We often find hermit crabs also know locally as soldier crabs ambling on through. Sometimes we even help them by giving them a choice of a new home. There’s also been some strange houses such as PVC pipe, an old film canister and basically they’ll use whatever they can find in the moment. This one had a very pretty shell.

blogfIMG_9314

We often find hermit crabs and I’m sure I’ve photographed many of them.

blogforcIMG_9395

Here’s a gorgeous Encyclia Altissima wild orchid.

The wild orchids are blooming all over Providenciales. Found our first Encyclia Altissima orchid today just starting to bloom and what a beautiful scent they have.

blogforcIMG_9428

A cluster of wild orchids in the bush by Harbour Club Villas

blogfrogIMG_9363

A Cuban tree frog ……….. look at those suction pads.

This little Cuban tree frog is not native to the Turks and Caicos Islands but they are spreading rapidly throughout.

blogfrogIMG_9372

Pretty amazing to see how far they can jump!

blogfwoodIMG_8507

A yellow bellied sap sucker………this is a new bird for me and really exciting to see.

blogfwoodIMG_8542

Here he is pecking holes in our coconut palms.

blogfwoodIMG_8612

A row of old holes and then the new ones.

It was thrilling to catch sight of and photograph the yellow bellied sap sucker. Definitely not easy to do as they are very shy birds and hard to get a photo of them.

Hoping we can show you some of the local critters around Harbour Club Villas…lots of birds, lizards, geckos and some beautiful flowering plants and shrubs.

Marta

Sand Bubbler Crab

Posted on by
Reply

Look down and see the amazing art works at your feet

This fascinates me and I’m always looking down as I stroll along our Provo beaches. You’ll see those intricate balls of sand that form some wondrous patterns in the sand. I finally had to look this up and found out that it is all the works of a small crab……the Sand Bubbler Crab.

Sand bubbles created by the Sand Bubbler Crab

At low tide, the sand bubbler crabs emerge from their holes beneath the sand to gather microscopic food that the tide has brought in. They do this by collecting and sifting the sand, actually checking each grain, and rolling those parts that have nothing useful for them into little balls (sand bubbles) that they toss behind.

A little crab emerges from its burrow in the sand at low tide to search for food.

Sand bubbler crabs live in burrows in the sand, where they remain during high tide. When the tide is out, they come out on to the surface of the sand, and scour the sand for food, forming it into inflated pellets, which cover the sand and form some great designs.

Kinda looks like a palm tree to me!

Next time you are wandering on one of our beautiful beaches, take a look and see some of these intricate designs in the sand. A sand bubbler crab artist will be hiding near by just too shy to come out and take a bow!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sunshine Sunday

Posted on by
Reply

Another spectacular Sunday and as you can see we're having such calm seas that we just had to head out over the blue turquoise waters.

Another spectacular Sunday and as you can see we're having such calm seas that we just had to head out over the blue turquoise waters.

This little crab had the most vivid colours I've ever seen, red and orange and blue eyes. I believe it is called a Sally Lightfoot crab.

This little crab had the most vivid colours I've ever seen, red and orange and blue eyes. I believe it is called a Sally Lightfoot crab.

I'm still looking to find out the name of this delicate "shell."

I'm still looking to find out the name of this delicate "shell."

We were treated to a beautiful sunset but no "Green Flash" this time.

We were treated to a beautiful sunset but no "Green Flash" this time.

The ocean at dusk as we headed for home

The ocean at dusk as we headed for home

Another magnificent Provo Sunday enjoying the calm and unbelieveably clear water. It was a joy to be out on the water.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Land Crab

Posted on by
Reply

Barry found this night visitor down by one of our villas

Barry found this night visitor down by one of our villas

As Barry was making the rounds this evening, he heard a loud noise and couldn’t imagine what it could be until he spotted this huge land crab.

This one was super aggressive as he waved his formidable claw at the camera

This one was super aggressive as he waved his formidable claw at the camera

Barry yelled at me to bring my camera…………I was in the shower and didn’t even have time to rinse off.

Close up of one impressively lethal looking claw.

Close up of one impressively lethal looking claw.

It moved really fast and we were nervous about getting too close but of course, the photo opportunity was too hard to pass up.

This Land Crab brings up his massive claw ready to attack.

This Land Crab brings up his massive claw ready to attack.

We quite often see these large crabs here at Harbour Club Villas. This one gave me lots of great photos for my collection.

 

Hope you enjoy seeing them!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Ghost Crab at Malcolm Roads Beach

Posted on by
Reply

This little Ghost Crab put on quite an aggressive display as I photographed him

This little Ghost Crab put on quite an aggressive display as I photographed him

Malcolm Roads beach and little Ghost Crab. I photographed it for at least twenty minutes. I wanted to capture the ocean turquoise background and the beach.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc