Uploads from Abizeleth, tagged sand, with geodata

Te Henga (Bethells Beach)

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:38:50 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Golden glow at the end of the day at Bethells Beach.

Australasian gannets

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:54:41 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) at Muriwai Beach.

There's a colony of about 1200 pairs of these birds that breed between October and March on the rocks overlooking Muriwai beach. The pairs mate for life and when one returns from fishing, they greet each other with a lot of head and beak rubbing. It's very cute. We were there at the very end of the breeding season, so most of the pairs had gone, but there were still a few dozen hanging around.

The white mound behind them is a nest site.

surfers

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:19:49 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Surfers coming back to shore at Piha Beach (North Island, New Zealand).

Piha Beach is probably one of the best known beaches in the Auckland area, and has infamously dangerous riptides. There's even a reality show that focuses on the rescues by the lifeguards.

sand and sky

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:57:11 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

More from Te Henga (Bethells Beach), North Island, New Zealand

ghost crab with seaweed accoutrement

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:55:38 -0800

Abizeleth posted a photo:

These ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) were quite common and funny to watch scuttling around on the beach.

Turks & Caicos rock iguana

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:47:02 -0800

Abizeleth posted a photo:

The Turks & Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) is an endangered species endemic to the Turks & Caicos Islands. This species is actually doing well compared to other Cyclura in the Caribbean, but there are only 50,000 of them left. About 2,000 of them live on Little Water Cay, a nature preserve that's near the island of Providenciales. Lots of tourboats visit the island and you can walk around on the boardwalks and see the iguanas.

The main threat to the iguanas throughout their range is from dogs and cats, which particularly hunt the smaller, young iguanas. TCI has been working to remove dogs and cats from their nature preserves, and some areas have been fairly successful.

footprints

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:51:37 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Stina's footprints in the sand dunes at Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park.

Been both sick and crazy busy this week. Hope to catch up soon!

Ashford Mills

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:34:38 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

It was a great surprise to round a corner at Ashford Mills (Death Valley National Park) and find this huge field of yellow flowers. Most of the park had no flowers at all.

Devil's Cornfield Revisited

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:08:34 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

The Devil's Cornfield had some small dunes in it....

salt pan

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:47:30 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

A salt pan among the dunes at Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park. I loved the crazy patterns of the repeating shapes.

big sky

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:45:36 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Clouds moving in as the sandstorm continues. It was clear overhead but incredibly windy with low visibility on the ground. Taken near the mouth of Golden Canyon.

(Death Valley National Park)

Well, one does want a hint of color....

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:26:19 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

There weren't many flowers blooming in Death Valley National Park, except for one hillside near Ashford Mills, which was covered with these yellow composites (Asteraceae; sunflower family).

We were very lucky in our timing - after stopping to take pictures at this spot, we drove up to Jubilee Pass, had lunch, and then drove back down to this area, and the mountains were hidden behind a wall of sand - the wind had picked up and a huge sandstorm blew through.

dune detail

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:01:40 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Found lots of interesting sand textures at Mesquite Sand Dunes (Death Valley National Park).

Mesquite Dunes

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:54:02 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

We made two trips to Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley National Park - one at sunset and one at sunrise. Fascinating place, but there hadn't been any wind in awhile, so it was covered with footprints, unfortunately.

That's Stina on the dune in the distance.

The Devil's Cornfield

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:07:30 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Early morning in the Devil's Cornfield, Death Valley National Park.

Just back from three days in Death Valley. More fun than it sounds, I promise. :)

Still catching up!

lost buoy

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:22:42 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

For TPorter2006's fabulous group, buoyant!

From the archives - seen on the beach near the Northwest Point on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

blue tang

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:27:50 -0700

Abizeleth posted a photo:

A blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus) hangs out in some soft coral in the Turks & Caicos Islands. It was a sunny moment in shallow water - you can even see the fish's shadow!

(you guessed it - still raining here!)

starfish

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:05:41 -0800

Abizeleth posted a photo:

Hanging out and missing part of an arm on Grace Bay beach.... Good thing they can grow them back.

Grace Bay beach has the nicest sand I've ever experienced. It was so fine and soft!

texture

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:32:10 -0800

Abizeleth posted a photo:

potcake

nobody@flickr.com (Abizeleth) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:22:36 -0800

Abizeleth posted a photo:

The Turks & Caicos Islands (and the Bahamas, I'm told) have an over abundance of friendly stray dogs, locally known as "potcakes." The name comes from the habit locals had of feeding the caked remains of the cooking pot ("potcakes") to the dogs. They apparently make excellent pets, and there are several rescue groups that work to find them homes in the islands and in North America. Rescue organizations also work with tourists, who volunteer as couriers to transport puppies to the US and Canada for adoption.