Monthly Archives: July 2009

Water Spout

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Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in

Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in

Yet again we hit a perfect day even with the thunderclouds hovering over the ocean and creating such colours in the water.

Eva got out of the water as this stingray came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming

Eva got out of the water as this stingray (see the shadow?) came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming

First we sighted the stingray and Eva quickly got up on her feet as we grabbed cameras. We were busy snapping photos of the ray when we noticed a water spout forming. Water spouts are basically a tornado that forms over water and is only the second one that I’ve ever seen.

Here's a closer view and Wow, look at the water colour due to the dark clouds

Here's a closer view and Wow, look at the water colour due to the dark clouds

Meanwhile, the stingray was still gliding along in the shallows and I managed to get several really good photos.

The stingray was cruising along in the shallow waters by Osprey Rock

The stingray was cruising along in the shallow waters by Osprey Rock

The Southern Stingray usually lies hidden under a thin dusting of sand and feeds on crabs, small fish and worms. It does have a long poisonous spine but it usually takes off at the first signs of someone getting nearer.

Look at this beauty!!

Look at this beauty!!

I can’t believe that we were so lucky to see and watch two incredible sights and both in one day. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have such an abundance of subjects to photograph so make sure you have your camera ready at all times. The South West Bluff area and Osprey Rock are both full of interesting sea creatures so take a look once you’re on island.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Ambulance donated

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Ambulance ready to head out for the presentation ceremonies.

Ambulance ready to head out for the presentation ceremonies.

A huge donation of a much needed ambulance was made yesterday by the Westlake Church of Christ in Indiana who are our guests for the week at Harbour Club Villas. Every second year they gather together with Provo’s Church of Christ and this year they donated an ambulance to the Myrtle Rigby Health Clinic.

Providenciales has a new ambulance donated by the Westlake group

Providenciales has a new ambulance donated by the Westlake group

A fine looking ambulance with Turks and Caicos Medical written on the side will be put to good use to help the people of our island. The keys were handed over yesterday in a presentation ceremony. G and G Shipping also donated the shipping costs for this worthy and worthwhile cause. Well done everyone and a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all!!!!!

 

Stay healthy,

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sea Urchins Part 3

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Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.

Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.

The above photo shows a test from the Great Red Footed Urchin.  I didn’t realise that both sand dollars and sea biscuits are urchins too.

Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test

Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test

A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand

A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand

Close up view of an urchin test found on the beach at the North West Point.

Close up view of an urchin test found on the beach at the North West Point.

I just love finding these and you’ll be able to look for them too when holidaying here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hope to see you soon,

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins Part 2

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Kai collects sea urchins found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point

Kai collects sea urchin tests or skeletons found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point

Every trip out to this particular stretch of beach at the North West Point results in finding sea urchin skeletons or “tests”. There were hundreds of them this particular day and Kai and Sandra couldn’t believe their eyes at how many had been washed up and were lying in the seaweed.

Some sea urchin tests lie half buried in the sand whilst others were on the seaweed

Some sea urchin tests lie half buried in the sand whilst others were on the seaweed

There are more than 700 species of sea urchins and the name means sea hedgehog, hedgehog being one meaning of the word “urchin”. Some of the most frequently seen colours are black, red, brown, purple and pink.

My favourite sea urchin test are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful

My favourite sea urchin tests are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful

 

Here's a close up ......... it's so interesting especially with that greenish tint.

Here's a close up ......... it's so interesting especially with that greenish tint.

Did you know that sea urchins in large populations are a good thing as they graze on algae and prevent algae overgrowth on reefs?

Happy shelling,

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins

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Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Another walk out at the North West Point where the beach is usually strewn with sea urchin tests (skeletons). If you walk out into the water you will find many live sea urchins which are black and black with red. These sea creatures apparently come in many different colours.

Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks under the water

Long-spined Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks and the coral reef just below the water out at the North West Point

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

The bottom side of a sea urchin has five teeth with which they eat algae. They are found in areas where there are lots of seagrass, seaweed and other foods.

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Close up of a sea urchin

Close up of a long-spined or black sea urchin

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Haitien Sloop

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Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

We went out to Long Bay today as we were told that another Haitien Sloop had landed up on the shore. It must have come in under the cover of night with probably over 100 illegal Haitiens. We’ve had such calm seas which makes for an easier crossing.

The sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The handmade sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The beach and trail to the road is littered with discarded clothing, backpacks, shoes and even a cooking pot.  

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The waves were quite strong when we were out at Long Bay today and I’m sure the sloop will get quite a pounding.

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

 

Illegal Hatiens arrive on our southern shores all too frequently……….some are caught and sent back home. Their boats are left on the beaches wherever they make landfall. These sloops are left to the elements and gradually are broken up by the wind and waves.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com