Category Archives: Animals

Conch World (Part 2)

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The onshore nursery ponds can hold up to 2,000,000 conchs!!!

The onshore nursery ponds can hold up to 2,000,000 conchs!!!

Some 80 onshore ponds, where aeration systems keep the water oxygenated, are the nursery home of  the baby conchs which are fed a special conch feed by some 20 staff at the farm.

Each pen out in the shallow waters contains 5,000 conch

Each pen out in the shallow waters contains 5,000 conch

Conch World has 200 offshore pens which hold initially the 1 year olds (6 cm size). After 2 1/2 years in the pens or at 3 to 4 years old, the conch can be harvested.

Danver introduces us to Sally the resident female conch

Danver introduces us to Sally the resident female conch

Sally needs little coaxing to come out of her shell. Note the “foot” which is strong and powerful. 

And here's Jerry........the male conch with his male parts that Danver is pointing to.

And here's Jerry........the male conch with his male parts that Danver is pointing to.

Make sure to visit Conch World when you visit our island of Providenciales. Entry fee is only $10.00 per person and I think it is well worth it. You won’t have another opportunity anywhere in the world as this commercial farm is the only one.

See you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch World

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View of the Subsea Pasture where the conch grow from about 6 cm to adult conch

View of the Subsea Pasture where the conch grow from about 6 cm to adult conch

Today we headed out to see the Conch Farm…….the only one of its kind in the world. I’d heard that they had suffered quite some damage from Hurricanes Hanna and Ike. I have been through the farm several times over the years and today was an  opportunity to go again. The old dock was gone and lots of damage sustained by Ike’s 140 mph winds as well as an 8 foot storm surge during Hanna.

Here's our friendly and informative guide Danver who told us everything you ever wanted to know about conch and more!

Here's our friendly and informative guide Danver who told us everything you ever wanted to know about conch and more!

Provo Conch World has been in existence since 1984 with 12 million dollars invested to develop conch farming to the commercial scale it operates at today. Currently they have about 500,000 conch!

On shore nursery ponds containing small conch from 2 to 6 cm

On shore nursery ponds containing small conch from 2 to 6 cm

Baby conchs grow in these nursery ponds for about a year until ready to be put out in the sub-sea pasture

Baby conchs grow in these nursery ponds for about a year until ready to be put out in the sub-sea pasture

I have lots more photos and will continue tomorrow
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Hawksbill Turtle

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The beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle's shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes

In years gone by, the beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle’s shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes.

The Hawksbill turtle is easy to identify as it has a very distinctive sharp curving beak much like a hawk. The boney plates of the shell are streaked with amber, yellow and brown.

To the Taino Indians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, turtles were an important food item. Nowadays turtles are more often promoted as a tourist attraction.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has adopted new conservation plans for  sea turtles that will protect mature adults so they can breed, and reverse population declines.

Restrictions have been put into place and it is illegal for fishermen to kill turtles with shells over 60 cm or under 45 cm.

 

The distinctive "hawk" like beak of the Hawksbill turtle

The distinctive “hawk” like beak of the Hawksbill turtle

In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items and therefore they are on the critically endangered list.

Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle

Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle

Look for the Hawksbill turtle as you snorkel the coral reefs and waters of the Turks and Caicos on your next island vacation.

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Green Turtle

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Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Here’s one of Mike’s great turtle photos taken while snorkeling at the Bight Reef. There are probably three species of marine turtles in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands……green turtles, hawksbill and the loggerhead. Divers and snorkelers alike can be assured to see a few turtles during their stay in the islands.

A close up view of a Green Turtle

A close up view of a Green Turtle

Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are often caught for eating and are now on the endangered list.
A local fisherman with comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

A local fisherman comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

Turtles are thought to mature between 30 and 50 years of age and apparently only one in a thousand turtle eggs survives to become a mature and reproductively active adult. We are hopeful that protective measures are being implemented to save our local Turks and Caicos turtles.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc

Water fun

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A boy's best friend...........nothing better than a cooling dip in our super clear waters.

A boy's best friend...........nothing better than a cooling dip in our super clear waters.

I don’t think he wants to let go of the ball. Lots of water fun at Grace Bay beach. The water in the Turks and Caicos Islands is so clear that you simply must see it for yourself. See you in the islands!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Provo Ponies on the beach

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Riding with Provo Ponies out at Long Bay beach

Riding with Provo Ponies out at Long Bay beach

Imagine riding horses along a tropical beach on a perfect day with blue skies and the gorgeous backdrop of the turquoise waters out at Long Bay Beach. We were out for a long walk along the beach a week ago and met this group of horses and riders. Provo Ponies with Camille Slattery will take you for an idyllic ride along this quiet stretch of beach and since it is quite shallow you can take your horse out into the water.

You can trot and canter along a beautiful stretch of Long Bay Beach

You can trot and canter along a beautiful stretch of Long Bay Beach

What I find quite unique is that Provo Ponies started as a rescue operation for horses and ponies in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Many of the ponies and horses are from Grand Turk and the original ones were Paso Finos that had come to the TCI from the Dominican Republic and sadly were showing signs of abuse. These fine animals have been given a second chance and are loving their lives now and giving pleasure to so many people coming here to ride on the beaches of Provo.

If you would love to ride on the beach, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with Camille at Provo Ponies.

Happy trails!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Janet’s Bonefish

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Wow..........what a beauty. Janet's first bonefish caught out at Bonefish Point on Providenciales

Wow..........what a beauty. Janet's first bonefish caught out at Bonefish Point on Providenciales

Grinning from ear to ear, one of our guests at Harbour Club Villas shows off her very first bonefish. Apparently it was 20 inches long and weighed 4 lbs 5 ozs. It took out about 120 feet of line on the second run. Janet sighted the bonefish about 30 feet away and cast right infront of it. The fish took the fly gently and made at least six runs. On the last run, the bonefish turned 180 degrees and headed straight towards her. She frantically had to try and wind the line back in so as not to lose the fish.

Catch and release id the name of the game

Catch and release is the name of the game

Now I know why they call bonefish the "silent grey ghost of the flats"

Now I know why they call bonefish the "silent grey ghost of the flats"

The Turks and Caicos Islands have some of the most spectacular ocean flats where you can wade and bonefish.
See you in the Turks for your next bonefishing vacation.
Marta
http://www.bonefishing.tc

Humpback Whale

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Magnificent creature..........Diving with a humbacked whale

Magnificent creature..........Diving with a humback whale

We had three guests that went out diving today with Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers. Our guests were treated to an amazing dive when a humpback whale was sighted out at West Caicos. They quietly slid into the water and stayed together while observing this magnificent creature. Zach thought it was at least 50 feet as it was much larger than the bottom of the Flamingo’s boat. A perfect day of diving! Diving the reefs and walls of the Turks and Caicos is a wonderful experience………….visibility is excellent with an abundance of marine life.

Hope we see you soon when you head our way on your next dive trip.

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

Potcakes

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How could you ever hope to resist loving a sweet potcake puppy with a face like this?????

How could you ever hope to resist loving a sweet potcake puppy with a face like this?????

Recent guests of Harbour Club Villas adopted this sweet little potcake puppy from our Turks and Caicos SPCA. Steve and Andres fell in love with this little one and have named her Tromba which is Spanish for “waterspout”. Potcakes are named after the congealed food that remained in the bottom of the cooking pot after reheating usually peas and rice several times. The scrapings or potcakes were fed to the dogs and hence the dogs have become known as Potcakes. Many of these dogs and puppies are found around the island and the spaying and neutering programs are not keeping up. Many are taken to the TCSPCA and Potcake Place where they are hopefully adopted. They are loving and loyal and perhaps when you visit our islands you might consider adopting one.

Potcakes are loveable and make a great family pet

Potcakes are loveable and make a great family pet

If you are heading our way and would like more info or would like to adopt a Potcake, just let me know. I’ll put you in touch with all the right people.

See you soon,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com