It must be freezing up north as our wonderful Humpback whales were just spotted yesterday off Salt Cay's north point. This is very early arrival for them.I believe these are the "scouts" sent down early to send directions to their fellow whale buddies on migration paths to the Silver Banks.These scouts will guide the whales through the Columbus Passage which sits right in front of Salt Cay.
I received a call from Hilary telling me the whales were heading south and to be on the look out for them. Sure enough, about 15 minutes later, huge spouts of water shot up and two mangnificinet whales backs came out of the water. They didn't put on a breeching show but still a gorgeous sight.They are saving the main show for when more guests arrive.
Still plenty of time to get your reservations to Salt Cay for our Humpback whale, snokeling and diving season. I can't wait to be diving and hear them singing again.
Each year their songs are so beautiful. Sounds like a concert on most every dive.
Hope to see you in Salt Cay for 2011! Debbie, Ollie and the whole Salt Cay Divers gang wishing you all a very Happy New year.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Turtle Saga Contines
Well our turtle came back to Salt Cay again. Heather spotted the turtle back in the pond and let me know that either she didn't leave or she came back. So I called Jewels,the Director of our Environmental and Coastal Resources Department to ask her advise on what to do.
She was extremely helpful and told me not to flip it over, keep it's head wet with cloth and also that would shade her eyes and get it to the ocean as fast as possible.
So I called a crew to assist me in saving this gorgeous turtle. Richard, Enye, Santos, Wiley, Paul and Heather all came and lifted the turtle into the back of my truck. She weighed about 200 pounds and was 3.5ft x 4ft long. It was a Hawksbill turtle and perhaps came on shore to lay eggs and maybe got confused because when we found her she was looking for the ocean in the opposite direction of where the ocean is located.
So we carefully loaded and I drove it to the Tradewinds where the beach entrance was a direct shot out of the harbor. We all felt so happy to see the turtle back where she belongs. The way she took off once she hit the water was exciting to see.
Check out our pictures on Salt Cay Divers face book page.Another happy ending!
She was extremely helpful and told me not to flip it over, keep it's head wet with cloth and also that would shade her eyes and get it to the ocean as fast as possible.
So I called a crew to assist me in saving this gorgeous turtle. Richard, Enye, Santos, Wiley, Paul and Heather all came and lifted the turtle into the back of my truck. She weighed about 200 pounds and was 3.5ft x 4ft long. It was a Hawksbill turtle and perhaps came on shore to lay eggs and maybe got confused because when we found her she was looking for the ocean in the opposite direction of where the ocean is located.
So we carefully loaded and I drove it to the Tradewinds where the beach entrance was a direct shot out of the harbor. We all felt so happy to see the turtle back where she belongs. The way she took off once she hit the water was exciting to see.
Check out our pictures on Salt Cay Divers face book page.Another happy ending!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Adventures in Salt Cay
Today was really a fun adventure. Several of us took off to do a search and rescue on a mooring ball that had disappeared from the Aquarium dive site. Heather was wonderful and told me she had spotted the ball earlier on the north shore. So we decided to make an adventure out of it. Paul and Heather snorkeled in to the shore because the swells were too big to get the boat in too close. We spotted the line and ball, they swam in and retrieved it.
These mooring markers are very difficutlt to get down here so thanks so very much to everyone for their help in saving it.
Next we all went out to the "Plane" or some people call it the "Parades End" to dive. Lots of sand had covered the plane ,which we sank in July, and already fish are making it their new home. There was a huge Southern Sting Ray that seems like the Plane might be his new home too as this is the 4th time spotted there.He has about 4-5 ft wing span.
Next , Paul had earlier spotted turtle tracks that led to the pond up north by the Pirates cemetary. This pond sometimes has some water, but most of the time not. He saw a large Hawksbill turtle flapping around in what seemed to be a lot of muddy, slushy water. After our dive, we all went to look at the turtle to see if it was OK. It would take a huge breath of air, then bury it's head in the water. It's entire bak shell was exposed, but it was like if his head was covered, no one could see her.She would stay like that for about 15 min then repeat the same action. The turtle did not look in distress, but we have never seen a turtle do this before. Most likely the turtle came on the land to lay it's eggs in the sand. You could see lots of different turtle tracts coming in from the beach. The turtle just seemed to not want to leave this muddy little hole of water. Why???
Paul went to try and pick it up and we were going to carry it to the ocean, but them once we saw it was not "stuck in the mud" we decided since she didn't look in distress, we would let nature take its course. Sure enough, the turtle was gone in the am with fresh tracks leading back out to the shore.So a happy ending to another adventuresome day on Salt Cay. If anyone out there has seen or understands this behavior, we would love to hear about what the turtle might have been doing.
For those of you spending the holidays in Salt Cay, we will see you all soon. For those of you not booked yet, still lots of time for a surprise holiday gift.
How special to come bring in the New Year diving on our beautiful walls and staying on our historical little island.
You can bring in the New Year with Salt Cay's own Rake and Scrape band playing live, at Coral Reef Bar and Grill on New years eve.
For those of you who will not be here, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the very best to all of you and your family for a healthy , happy and prosperous new year. Hope to see you all in 2011. From all the Salt Cay Divers staff.
These mooring markers are very difficutlt to get down here so thanks so very much to everyone for their help in saving it.
Next we all went out to the "Plane" or some people call it the "Parades End" to dive. Lots of sand had covered the plane ,which we sank in July, and already fish are making it their new home. There was a huge Southern Sting Ray that seems like the Plane might be his new home too as this is the 4th time spotted there.He has about 4-5 ft wing span.
Next , Paul had earlier spotted turtle tracks that led to the pond up north by the Pirates cemetary. This pond sometimes has some water, but most of the time not. He saw a large Hawksbill turtle flapping around in what seemed to be a lot of muddy, slushy water. After our dive, we all went to look at the turtle to see if it was OK. It would take a huge breath of air, then bury it's head in the water. It's entire bak shell was exposed, but it was like if his head was covered, no one could see her.She would stay like that for about 15 min then repeat the same action. The turtle did not look in distress, but we have never seen a turtle do this before. Most likely the turtle came on the land to lay it's eggs in the sand. You could see lots of different turtle tracts coming in from the beach. The turtle just seemed to not want to leave this muddy little hole of water. Why???
Paul went to try and pick it up and we were going to carry it to the ocean, but them once we saw it was not "stuck in the mud" we decided since she didn't look in distress, we would let nature take its course. Sure enough, the turtle was gone in the am with fresh tracks leading back out to the shore.So a happy ending to another adventuresome day on Salt Cay. If anyone out there has seen or understands this behavior, we would love to hear about what the turtle might have been doing.
For those of you spending the holidays in Salt Cay, we will see you all soon. For those of you not booked yet, still lots of time for a surprise holiday gift.
How special to come bring in the New Year diving on our beautiful walls and staying on our historical little island.
You can bring in the New Year with Salt Cay's own Rake and Scrape band playing live, at Coral Reef Bar and Grill on New years eve.
For those of you who will not be here, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and the very best to all of you and your family for a healthy , happy and prosperous new year. Hope to see you all in 2011. From all the Salt Cay Divers staff.
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