Category Archives: Animals

Turks and Caicos Dog Show

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This gorgeous dog was almost as tall as his little friend at this afternoon's eagerly awaited Dog Show

This gorgeous dog was almost as tall as his little friend at this afternoon's eagerly awaited Dog Show

What a great afternoon it was as everyone and their dogs had some tail waggin’ fun under the tent set up in Turtle Cove Marina. Once again it was time for the annual TCSPCA Dog Show. All the “who’s who” of the Provo doggie world came to vie for some great prizes and two trophies…..one for the Best in Show and one for the winner of the Obstacle Course.

Top Dog trophy waiting for the winning dog announcement

Top Dog trophy waiting for the winning dog announcement

A great turn out of dogs and potcakes of all sizes, their proud owners, loads of kids with cute painted doggy faces, booths selling a variety of neat items like eco friendly doggy bags, T-shirts and too many other items to mention along with food and drinks.

This little cutie was ready to show it's stuff in a range of competition endeavours.

This little cutie was ready to show it's stuff in a range of competition endeavours.

   

Checking out the competition at the TCSPCA Dog Show!

Checking out the competition at the TCSPCA Dog Show!

I'm so handsome ....I deserve a treat for this pose woofs Rama.

I'm so "doggon" handsome ....I deserve a treat for this perky earred pose woofs Rama.

Kids with painted doggy faces were kept entertained at the craft tables

Kids with painted doggy faces were kept entertained at the craft tables

All the excitement made this potcake tired as it lay down for a rest
All the excitement made this potcake tired as it lay down for a short break

If you missed the action today make sure to mark your calendar for next year.  The show today included a demonstration by the K-9 unit and I’ll post some photos of this in tomorrow’s blog.

Keep those tails waggin’
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Potcakes and Conchin’

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It was so hot this afternoon that even the local potcakes were sitting and cooling off in the water

It was so hot this afternoon that even the local potcakes were sitting and cooling off in the water

The guys wanted to watch World Cup soccer so the gals and lil’ munchkin headed down Turtle Tail to “My” beach. I don’t know the official name of this lovely little spot that’s tucked away but everyone locally calls it “Dog beach.” And YES there were two potcakes from a nearby house that showed up to play in the water.

These two potcakes had a great time splashing, romping and just sitting in the water.

These two potcakes had a great time splashing, romping and just sitting in the water.

The water right now is like a bathtub………unusual for this time of year for it to be already so warm. Looks like there’s going to be lots of hurricane activity this year. The beach was perfect as munchkin played in the sand and the water and some locals came by conchin’.  

Conkin' on the south side of Providenciales just down the road from Harbour Club Villas.

Conchin' on the south side of Providenciales just down the road from Harbour Club Villas.

I chatted with two locals who were spending the afternoon looking for conch. Used to be a time where you would find loads of conch in the waters off this little beach and further down past Bristol Hills. They had so far only found one and then another one that I took pictures of.

A "medium sized" conch he told me......I thought it looked pretty large.

A "medium sized" conch he told me......I thought it looked pretty large.

He cracked the conch, pulled out the meat and continued through the water looking for more.
He cracked the conch, pulled out the meat and continued through the water looking for more.

Sad to say, there weren’t many conch to be found in the waters………….not even escapees from the conch farm that would work their way down towards our villas.

Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Opuntia Cactus

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Beautiful yellow blooms on an Opuntia Cactus at Harbour Club Villas

Beautiful yellow blooms on an Opuntia Cactus at Harbour Club Villas

All this dry weather and no rain has been ideal for our large Opuntia Cactus also known as Prickly Pear Cactus. It is blooming to beat the band with large bright yellow flowers.

A dried Almond leaf reveals two lizard or anole eggs.

A dried Almond leaf reveals two lizard or anole eggs.

A dried almond leaf was caught up in the spikes by the flower I wanted to take a picture of.  I gently pulled it out of the way and discovered two eggs hidden inside the curled up leaf. I can’t tell whether they are anole eggs or those of the curly tailed lizard.

Close up of the centre of the Opuntia Cactus flower

Close up of the centre of the Opuntia Cactus flower

Take time out during your day to see some of the natural beauty around you!

 

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

French Cay adventure

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Stunning day and crystal clear water out at French Cay today

Stunning day and crystal clear water out at French Cay today. The white speck to the right of the photo is The Turks and Caicos Aggressor liveaboard dive boat.

Our first time out to French Cay and we couldn’t have picked a better day. The weather has been flat calm with no wind for the past few days. We decided it was time to head to French Cay as none of us had ever been there except Barry who went out with FiFi of Caicos Adventures a few years ago.

Approaching the beach at French Cay in about eight feet of water. We could see everything so clearly.

Approaching the beach at French Cay in about eight feet of water. We could see everything so clearly.

We moored just off the beach in about two feet of water and went ashore to explore and of course my camera was constantly taking photos. So many birds and in a future post, I will show you some of  the bird photos I took.

French Cay is an amazing dive area……..divers come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience the dive sites out at French Cay. Take a look at my website at www.diving.tc where you will find some photos and information on dive sites out at French Cay.

A sun bleached piece of coral washes up on shore with that turquoise blue ocean as a backdrop.

A sun bleached piece of coral washes up on shore with that turquoise blue ocean as a backdrop.

We loved being able to see and experience this spectacular little island and its abundant bird life and hope to return again soon for more photos.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Provo Ponies… Riding on the beach

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What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

What a treat to see Provo Ponies' Camille and her group out at Long Bay beach.

We went out to Long Bay beach and started walking from the future site of another hotel. The kite boarders were out in full force and it was fun watching them jumping and twirling and racing across the shallow waters out there. We were fortunate to see Camille from Provo Ponies who had her group out for a leisurely ride along the beach. I caught this great photo as Camille’s horse pranced out of the water and her dog seemed to want to play along.

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Meet Cowboy as he heads to cool off in the water

Cowboy is a Paso Fino……these horses were originally shipped to Provo from the Dominican Republic and when Camille rescued them, they were showing signs of abuse. Camille and friends nursed them back to health and eventually became Provo Ponies.

Enjoy a horseback ride along an amazingly beautiful stretch of beach when you are next here on Providenciales. The warm sun, the turquoise ocean, true blue skies and miles of deserted beach will make for a horseback ride to remember.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com 

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Christmas Potcake

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Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

Here's Ava the potcake pup that was adopted recently by our guests at Harbour Club

We received recent photos from Joe and Christen of their little Potcake named Ava that they adopted in November while here on their honeymoon. Jo writes “Ava is an utter joy and we couldn’t be happier with her. She’s the best souvenir I’ve ever brought home from a trip.  Attached you’ll find some recent photos, including her about to eat a Christmas ball, her donning her fancy jingle-bell collar, and her first romp in the snow (we’re supposed to get 2 feet tonight). EVERYONE loves our dog and she’s as friendly as could be.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Here's Ava with her "jingle bell" collar and just waiting to see what goodies Santa will bring her.

Please, if you are able to help in any way……. contact Jane at Potcake Place, the fine potcake friends at the Turks and Caicos SPCA or call me at 1 8666 456 0210. They are always looking for people to take potcakes to Canada or the USA to join their new “forever” families. Adopt one if you can or make a donation towards the fostering and care of these little puppies. Thanks to Joe and Christen, Ava is one happy puppy who’ll spend her first Christmas surrounded by the warmth and love of her new family.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Potcake friends

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Our daughter Tina and potcake friends at Smith's Reef

Our daughter Tina and potcake friends at Smith's Reef

We were out at Smith’s Reef when two potcakes came up to say hello to Tina. I snapped this photo as they sat on the beach on either side of her watching the snorkelers in the water. To the left of the photo, you can see the sandy roadway leading into the water where snorkelers can start exploring the snorkel trail.

Happy snorkeling!

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Beaches and more beaches

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Mike floating about on Grace Bay beach at the Bay Bistro

Mike floating about on Grace Bay beach at the Bay Bistro

I decided to take Mike to one of my favourite spots along the North shore and Grace Bay. It really is interesting how the beach changes from one end at the entrance to Turtle Cove Marina to the other end at Leeward. If you want to snorkel, the best spots are at Smith’s Reef and the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens (White House Reef). Mike took all his great photos of turtles at the Bight Reef. Here’s one from today……..he saw turtles, a sting ray, a huge barracuda, a lionfish (oh no!!!!) and lots of fish.

Mike snapped this photo of a Hawksbill Turtle at the Bight Reef

Mike snapped this photo of a Hawksbill Turtle at the Bight Reef

The best for just enjoying the water and swimming, just lazing around and for the softest sand is just in front of the Bay Bistro ( great food and tell Chef Clive, Marta sent you!) and Sibonne. We used to find all kinds of sand dollars there years ago but when things got built up they all disappeared. We spent hours here today just enjoying the water.

Nothing like having a cold Corona on the beach while enjoying the water

Nothing like having a cold Corona on the beach while enjoying the water

 While Mike was out snorkeling at the Bight Reef, I saw a white eagret swoop over my head and land. He stayed for a while and I managed to get some great shots.

A white eagret stopped by to check things out.

A white eagret stopped by to check things out.

To top off every fantastic day in the Turks and Caicos Islands…….. a sunset that was extraordinary. We were at a friends house overlooking our villas at Harbour Club and Flamingo Lake below us. The colours and the calm waters showed off the Five Cays so clearly.

Harbour Club Villas between Flamingo Lake and the ocean at Cooper Jack Bight

Harbour Club Villas between Flamingo Lake and the ocean at Cooper Jack Bight

On your next visit to Providenciales, explore all our beaches as there’s many of them each one as spectacular as the next. See you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A quiet beach and Flamingos

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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