Salt Cay
WDCS has sent me, Sue Rocca - one of their research biologist, down to the Caribbean to conduct research on humpback whales that are seen in the Turks and Caicos. We are concentrating on Salt Cay where 2 local businesses are taking people out what whale watching. Salt Cay is a 3 square mile island in the Turks and Caicos which is at the southeast end of the Bahaman Archipelago. Salt Cay was first inhabited in the 17th century when a salt making industry was establish on the island in which canals were dug to overflow shallow ponds where the sea-water would evaporate, leaving salt.
Salt production on the island has been abandoned in favor of tourism. Salt Cay's crystal clear waters is a favorite diving spot, and now that people are traveling to see whales, a great place to whale watch as well.
Today was my first full day here on Salt Cay and even though the wind is blowing about 20 mph, creating some rough seas, there was a hardy group of 12 whale watchers that I went out whale watching with. We went to a beautiful island, called Great Sand Cay, and snorkeled in the calm seas of the lee-ward side of the island while looking for whale blows. Once we spotted a mother and calf we spent a few minutes with them before we had to start making our way back. However we were rewarded for braving rough seas on the way home when two adults were spotted beaching in the distance.
I will be here until the 20th of Feb., so stay tuned for more stories and pictures of whales, wild donkeys, wild cows and chickens that are all part of one's day here in Salt Cay.
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But kudos to the people who did their best to save him.