Category Archives: Birds

Beaches and more beaches

Posted on by
Reply
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

Posted on by
Reply
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

Kestrel

Posted on by
Reply
I managed to get some photos of an American Kestrel as he perched on a palm frond behind one of our villas.

I managed to get some photos of an American Kestrel as it perched on a palm frond behind one of our villas.

It was so great to see what I thought was a hawk behind one of our villas at Harbour Club today. I ran back to our villa and grabbed my camera. On looking it up, I found out that American Kestrels are also known as Sparrow Hawks but they are not true hawks but are a member of the Falcon family of birds. They resemble the Peregrine Falcon which is a distant cousin.

I'm not sure if this one is a female or a male Kestrel

I'm not sure if this one is a female or a male Kestrel

These birds are a common sight here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and are year round breeding residents. There was two of them and I’m now thinking that the one above was the female and one below is the male.

If this is the male Kestrel, he didn't stick around for me to get a better photo.

If this is the male Kestrel, he didn't stick around for me to get a better photo.

I’m sure these birds are attracted by our large population of lizards here at the villas and this makes for good hunting grounds.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Day on the Water

Posted on by
2
This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

 Another great day spent with friends on the water. As we waded to our little cay with the iguanas, I came across a pink tipped sea anemone. It appeared to be growing out of an old conch shell encrusted with marine life.

This iguana was ready to hide under the sea grape bush if we came any closer.

We saw many iguanas on the little cay and they were probably introduced some years ago.

The iguanas scurried away as we approached and this one was almost ready to put up a fight. He positioned himself so that he could hide in the brush under a sea grape bush if he needed to.
Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

As we anchored off the pirate’s cave and Osprey Rock, we were treated to a pelican show…………..three Brown Pelicans and their synchronized dive bombing for fish show. It was spectacular to watch as I positioned myself in the water in the hopes that they would feed close beside me.
Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Little fish were jumping all around as the pelicans swooped time and time again.
I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

And finally, front row seats for the best view in the world and a grande finale to the day. The sun sets over Turtle Rock, and we head back to Harbour Club’s Marina.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

A perfect ending to another Provo day filled with sun, fun, good friends and alot of laughter. We wish the same for you as you make plans to visit soon.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com  

Half Moon Bay

Posted on by
Reply
Two pelicans were on the sand bar in Leeward Channel as we motored past.

Two pelicans were on the sand bar in Leeward Channel as we motored past.

We were invited out on a friend’s boat but this time on the north side. It was the first time in quite a while and an opportunity to see the huge changes……….empty docks at Leeward Marina, Nikki Beach resort (recently closed) from the water, the remnants of Star Island and the build up of sand at Emerald Point. We were lucky to see two pelicans on the sand bar on our way through the channel and then on to Half Moon Bay.

Local boats were out in full force as the Minx pulled in and thunderclouds rolled in.

Local boats were out in full force as the Minx pulled in and thunderclouds rolled in.

Half Moon Bay is a heavenly spot with its distinctive out cropping of rocks with tall Silver Palms. It’s a favourite place to sail to for weddings and fun gatherings for locals and visitors alike. I spotted a couple of Caicos Sloops out for a sail and the Beluga anchored off the beach as they snorkeled with JoJo the dolphin. I missed seeing JoJo but some of our friends saw him. The Minx was there too and even the dogs had fun today.

Silver Palms on top of the rocks made for a great photo taken from the water.

Silver Palms on top of the rocks made for a great photo taken from the water.

As the clouds rolled in, we heard thunder and saw lightning………..rain too. The Minx and Beluga sailed off before the rain but we stayed and sure enough it cleared off a little.

It was so beautiful in this spot amongst the rocks.

It was so beautiful in this spot amongst the rocks.

This is a great spot for a barbeque, lots of swimming and snorkeling too.

This is a great place for a barbeque, lots of swimming and snorkeling too.

 

You can see why this is such a favourite beach to sail to.

You can see why this is such a favourite beach to sail to.

If you’re looking to have a wedding here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, keep this jewel of a beach in mind. There are boat charters that can sail right up to the beach for a special wedding ceremony.

 

We had such a lovely day and hope that you too will be able to enjoy Half Moon Bay and beach on your visit to Providenciales.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Injured juvenile heron

Posted on by
Reply
An injured juvenile heron at Harbour Club Villas

An injured juvenile heron at Harbour Club Villas

Barry found this injured juvenile Yellow-crowned night heron wandering around at the back of our villas at Harbour Club. His wing was definitely broken and the poor thing was unable to fly.

Every time we tried to approach it, it would run away.

Every time we tried to approach it, it would run away.

We tried to corner him and catch him but he was too fast and scurried away into the bushes. Nature will take its course I’m sure as it was unable to fly.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

North West Point Walk Part 2

Posted on by
Reply
Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

Here's the pelican gobbling up a fish while the seagull hovers waiting to snatch a tasty morsel.

We stopped to sit for a while and take in the view of the waves breaking on the shore. You can just make out the Amanyara resort way down at the end of the coastline.

Pat takes a break and just above her head you can make out the Amanyara Resort

Pat takes a break and way past her at the other end, you can make out the Amanyara Resort

As we walked along the beach towards Malcolm Roads and the Amanyara, I came across something just lying there in the sand. It was an egg and the best I could come up with on the internet was that it looks like a sandpiper egg. This would make sense and most of the birds we saw were Ruddy Turnstones, a common visitor here to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

This egg was just laying there in the sand. It had black, brown and greyish markings.

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Here's a Ruddy Turnstone. It's fun to watch them scurrying about along the sand and rocks

Once we got onto Malcolm Roads beach we were ready to hit the water. We had such fun riding the waves and playing in the surf.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Yogi disappears in the surf and all that can be seen are his legs and feet.

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

Pat enjoying the breaking waves

 

What a great way to end the day………….playing in the waves as they came crashing into the beach at Malcolm Roads.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

North West Point Walk

Posted on by
Reply
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

Posted on by
Reply
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

Barry’s Birthday

Posted on by
Reply
We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

We spent a great afternoon on and in the water to celebrate Barry's birthday today along with visiting friends from Banff.

The water today was like a bathtub and we spent hours out at Osprey Rock and stopped at Taylor Bay on the way back.

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

Pelicans kept dive bombing right infront of us at Osprey Rock. What a show they put on!

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

A beautiful sunset at the entrance to Discovery Bay canals and Harbour Club's Marina

Another beautiful day on the water spent with good friends……….you just can’t beat it!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com