Tag Archives: Birds

Then There Were Two….Hummingbirds

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Then there were TWO........the second egg hatched today.

Then there were TWO........the second egg hatched today.

I peeked into the nest today while Mama hummingbird was away and discovered that the second egg had hatched. Apparently when hummingbirds lay their eggs, the incubation starts once both eggs are in the nest and so they hatch at about the same time.

I never thought they'd be so dark and scrawny looking with a few feathers on their back.

I never thought they'd be so dark and scrawny looking with a few feathers on their back.

I managed to catch two little beaks wide open and waiting for food.

I managed to catch two little beaks wide open and waiting for food.

Here's the cracked egg and you can just see the yellow beak of the second, newly hatched humminbird

Here's the cracked egg and you can just see the yellow beak of the second, newly hatched humminbird

 

Two hummingbird babies lying beside the discarded shells....I wonder what will happen to the egg shells as the birds get larger.

Two hummingbird babies lying beside the discarded shells....I wonder what will happen to the egg shells as the birds get larger.

 

I’m so pleased at being able to photograph these sweet little hummingbird nestlings.

Enjoy!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Baby Hummingbird

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Peaked in the nest today and surprise, surprise, there it was, a tiny little hummingbird has hatched.

Peaked in the nest today and surprise, surprise, there it was, a tiny little hummingbird has hatched.

The other egg is still waiting to hatch and the mother hummingbird still sits on the nest most of the time .

The other egg is still waiting to hatch and the mother hummingbird still sits on the nest most of the time .

Here's the little one with his beak wide open hoping for some food.

Here's the little one with his beak wide open hoping for some food.

The mother hummingbird tending to her young.

The mother hummingbird tending to her young.

Bahama Woodstar hatchling.

Bahama Woodstar hatchling.

Tiny newborn hummingbird.

Tiny newborn hummingbird.

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Another Taylor Bay Sunday

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"Groovin" on a sunny Sunday afternoon on Provo......it just doesn't get any better than this!!!

"Groovin" on a sunny Sunday afternoon on Provo......it just doesn't get any better than this!!!

I wish my photos did justice to the true colours of the sand, seas and skies on yet another perfect Sunday afternoon dreamily lazing around at Taylor Bay. We got a late start at about 3 pm and cruised on down to Taylor Bay anchoring in 2 feet of water fairly close to shore. The tide was on it’s way out so ever so often we’d drag the anchor further back.

The boat was out in two feet of water as we lay around in the gently rippling water

The boat was out in two feet of water as we lay around in the gently rippling water

As the sun slowly sank lower in the sky, we pulled up anchor and headed towards home. As we came towards the marker buoy off Ocean Point, we were greeted by over a dozen sailing boats anchored out in Sapodilla Bay.

Note the marker buoy in the foreground with a Royal Tern perched ontop of it.

Note the marker buoy in the foreground with a Royal Tern perched ontop of it.

 

Here's a closer view of a Royal Tern taken down in Blue Hills

Here's a closer view of a Royal Tern taken down in Blue Hills

Sapodilla Bay had more boats anchored out than I’ve seen in a long while…………. a beautiful sight to see especially as the sun was starting to set.

At least two dozen boats were gently rocking back and forth out in the bay.

At least two dozen boats were gently rocking back and forth out in the bay.

A parting shot of the sunset and Sapodilla Bay boats as we motored home to Harbour Club's Marina

A parting shot of the sunset and Sapodilla Bay boats as we motored home to Harbour Club's Marina

A lovely tranquil afternoon. We’re fortunate to be able to enjoy all the stunning beauty around us in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We hope you will book your next holiday and vacation in these “beautiful by nature” islands. See you soon.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Baby Hummingbirds at Harbour Club Villas

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I looked up and straight ahead and saw a small hummingbird nest with two beaks sticking up in the air.

I looked up and straight ahead and saw a small hummingbird nest with two beaks sticking up in the air.

I was taking in the laundry today and all of a sudden I heard the humming of a hummingbird………..Barry had told me that he had seen one frequently out back of our cabin. I looked up searching for the tiny bird and to my surprise, I looked directly at a nest that was in our Poui tree. I could see two little beaks pointing straight up in the air.

The two baby hummingbirds were snuggled side by side in the nest.

The two baby hummingbirds were snuggled side by side in the nest.

The nest is made out of soft materials like moss and lichen, cotton fluffs, soft plant pieces, dryer lint, and leaf hairs. Items are brought back to the nest a little at a time and glued together with spider webs……..there’s loads of those here at Harbour Club!

I wanted you to see how this nest is cradled in a tri-fork of a Poui tree.

I wanted you to see how this nest is cradled in a tri-fork of a Poui tree.

The Mama hummingbird looks for a place that is well off the ground to prevent predators such as ants, snakes, and predatory birds finding the nest. It must also be sheltered from wind and the heat of the sun during the main part of the day. She found a really good solid base in our Poui tree where three branches had grown from a knot.

The two baby hummingbirds are so sweet and almost look like they are getting too big to fit both of them together.

The two baby hummingbirds are so sweet and almost look like they are getting too big to fit both of them together.

I’m thinking these two little ones will be flying the nest pretty soon as they seem to be really squished in there together.

A beautiful twosome.........I'm hoping if I watch close enough, I'll see them trying to fly really soon.

A beautiful twosome.........I'm hoping if I watch close enough, I'll see them trying to fly really soon.

Here's a closeup of one of the babies in the nest.

Here's a closeup of one of the babies in the nest.

And so, I’ll be watching the babies and hoping to get a few photos as they learn to fly. The positioning of the tree and the nest may make it difficult as I don’t want to scare them. We’ll see………hope you enjoy these photos.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Birds at French Cay

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A Laughing Gull displaying its breeding plumage

A Laughing Gull displaying its breeding plumage

Laughing gulls come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to breed in early summer and can be frequently seen. It might be a little early as I didn’t see many gulls at French Cay.

In breeding season, the laughing gull has a distinct black head and deep red beak which changes to a whitish head and black bill in the fall.

In breeding season, the laughing gull has a distinct black head and deep red beak which changes to a whitish head and black bill in the fall.

Further down the beach, I came across a beautiful osprey perched on a rib of  a boat that was sticking up out of the water.

A lone osprey surveys the surrounding seas as he rests for a moment.

A lone osprey surveys the surrounding seas as he rests for a moment.

The Osprey is a year round resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands and they prey on the abundant fish in our waters.

Preparing to take flight and catch his next fish

Preparing to take flight and catch his next fish

Ospreys that breed here year round are distinct as they have a very faint stripe behind the eye. The one pictured here is not from the region and has migrated here. Have a look at the eye and you will see a distinct black stripe.

Ospreys soar along our coastlines looking for fish rippling the water.

Ospreys soar along our coastlines looking for fish rippling the water.

Enjoy the Turks and Caicos Islands and I hope you will get to see many of our birds during your stay here.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Birds on French Cay

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An unusual shaped log is the perfect perch for this group of Brown Noddies

An unusual shaped log is the perfect perch for this group of Brown Noddy birds

I managed to slowly walk quite close to these birds all sitting on a large piece of drift wood. I looked them up in Richard Ground’s Bird book and found out they were a sea bird from the Tern family called Brown Noddy.

Note the numerous crabs on the log upright....not sure what they were doing.

Note the numerous crabs on the log upright....not sure what they were doing.

As I got closer I couldn’t believe how many crabs were scrambling on the part of the log closest to the water. The birds weren’t at all bothered by my approach and continued perching on the drift wood.

This Brown Noddy seems to be scolding "her" mate????

This Brown Noddy seems to be scolding "her" mate???? He's turning a deaf ear to her anyways!

The Brown Noddy is the largest of the Terns with a white forehead blending to gray nape, and small white (lower) half-eye ring. Noddies range throughout the world where the seas are warm. They breed on land in large colonies usually remote islands such as French Cay. 

Here's a close up of this beautiful seabird...the Brown Noddy

Here's a close up of this beautiful seabird...the Brown Noddy

Sea birds on French Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Look at the clear water and the spectacular colours.....unbelieveable.

 There were more birds but that’s for another time.

Happy bird watching.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

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

Ruddy Turnstones at Sharkbite

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This little Ruddy Turnstone dropped by for tidbits while we were having lunch at the Sharkbite.

This little Ruddy Turnstone dropped by for tidbits while we were having lunch at the Sharkbite.

Lunch at the Sharkbite in Turtle Cove Marina is always interesting……….the Ruddy Turnstones create quite a show as they vie for the choicest bits from the lunch time crowd and at night, you’ll be lucky to catch sight of the “resident” bull shark that hangs out looking for food.

Lined up all in a row along the ledge of the Sharkbite Restaurant's deck.

Lined up all in a row along the ledge of the Sharkbite Restaurant's deck.

Ruddy Turnstones are a common visitor to our shores and some are even year round residents. They seem to love the Turtle Cove area but then you can hardly blame them especially with such a variety of great restaurants with an easy food supply. They become habituated and really, we shoudn’t be feeding them but it happens everywhere……..ie. the gophers or ground squirrels at the buffalo paddocks in Banff were always such roly poly fat little things from all the visitors feeding them.

Birdwatchers can see the Ruddy Turnstone almost anywhere especially in Turtle Cove.

Birdwatchers can see the Ruddy Turnstone almost anywhere especially in Turtle Cove.

Drop by the restaurants in Turtle Cove on your next holiday on Provo. Lunch was great at the Sharkbite……..some of the best conch chowder I’ve ever tasted!!

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Night Heron

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Night Heron on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Last night we had a late night visitor at Harbour Club Villas.......this Yellow-crowned Night Heron surprised our guests.

This heron is frequently seen in the Turks and Caicos Islands and its main food is land crabs. I think the one at the villas roosts in one of our neem trees as he has surprised us several times. On one of my trips out to Blue Hills it was low tide and I spotted a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Apparently they will go into the sea at low tide in search of marine crabs.
Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

Low tide at Blue Hills shows a night heron searching for something to eat.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is usually grey with prominent black and white head. It is primarily nocturnal but as you can see from the photo, they will come out during the day and stalk their prey. 
Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

Close up of a night heron.............the tide was out and he was probably looking for crabs.

On your next visit to Provo, keep your eyes open as you are sure to see a variety of birds.  Birdwatching is great in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com 

Flamingos Part 2

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Greater Flamingos in the salt ponds of Grand Turk

Greater Flamingos in the salt ponds of Grand Turk

On an all too short visit to Grand Turk, a girl friend and I spent at least an hour getting these shots of the Flamingos in the town salina. They didn’t seem too worried about us and just went about their business of searching for food.

The West Indian Flamingo is part of the crest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stand on either side of the shield.

The West Indian Flamingo is part of the crest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and stand on either side of the shield.

The flamingo’s long legs and neck make them look quite awkward but it enables them to inhabit deeper water than other wading birds. Their specialized upside down beaks contain rows of bristles (lamellae) through which they strain the water for minute organisms which they can swallow without raising their heads.

There were quite a few flamingos wading the salt ponds on this particular day.

There were quite a few flamingos wading the salt ponds on this particular day.

The Town Salina in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, is surrounded by people, houses and roads. Still, this doesn’t disturb the flamingos which like to feed there.  The flamingos are often joined by pelicans and herons.

Birdwatching is a favourite occupation here in our islands. If you are a bird watcher or birder, come see all the different varieties of birds found in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com