Visit to The Bahamas - Part 2

14 February, 2026 

Governor's Harbour

     We were out and about early on our first morning on Eleuthera, having had a good night's sleep.

     Red Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) looked serene in the early morning sun.

     A Great Egret (Ardea alba) cruised in on lazy wings to see what could be gleaned for breakfast.

     A flock of Eastern Willets (Tringa semipalmata) perched throughout the mangroves. 

     No doubt the feeding was good, for they returned every day, but I only ever saw them perched or in flight.

     I sat and talked to Andrew for a while, and Caroline and then Miriam, joined us.

     Finally we felt our stomachs rumbling and went inside for breakfast.

     Here is the bungalow with our rental van parked outside.

     These two shots will give you some idea of the interior.

     I am not sure whether it was Braden or Will and Holly who had laid in supplies for us, but Andrew made coffee and I had a toasted bagel and jam; Miriam had a toasted bagel and cream cheese. It all hit the spot!

     Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) was very attractive and nearly every day a Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) or two could be found there.

     A dog, curiously named Egg, with two pups was a constant visitor, and always welcome.

     Egg was barely more than a pup herself and at times was stressed by her two rambunctious, demanding offspring. She was not a stray, but appeared to receive little care from her putative owners.

     This brilliant red hibiscus would seem to be a magnet for the endemic Bahama Woodstar (Nesophlox evelynae), and there were many blooms in the grounds, but I never even saw an insect on them let alone a hummingbird.

      They were nonetheless gloriously attractive and we appreciated them every day.

     We had no sooner finished breakfast and put the dishes away when Will and Holly arrived to take us on a tour around the area known as Governor's Harbour.

     Our first stop was at Norma's Gift Shop, well known and favoured by tourists and residents alike. We browsed but didn't buy! 

     Holly and Will have been on Eleuthera long enough to know where wildlife is likely to be sighted and they had been telling me of a location where they regularly see rays. It was mere steps from the gift shop and Will quickly spotted a Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus).

    It was close by in shallow water and we were able to follow it as it swam up and down; a distinct thrill for me.

     There were also large schools of Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura notata), a species known to inhabit shallow bays and inlets.

     Marine life is fascinating and my education was growing exponentially!

     As best we could tell, you are permitted to drink anywhere in The Bahamas without the threat of legal sanction, and these two jovial fellow were enjoying an infusion of morning sunshine!

     Had it been later in the day I might have joined them for a swig or two!

     The colour of the ocean in The Bahamas has to be seen to be believed.

     And we never saw a crowded beach anywhere on Eleuthera; very often we had the beach to ourselves.

     Will and Holly -

     Is there a more evocative image than a footstep in the sand?

      You could be forgiven for concluding that the term "tropical paradise" was coined here.

     Braden had told us that he had signed on for another year at the Island School, and it's not hard to see why!

     The reports of this trip will be heavy on people pictures and you will soon know most of my family.

Holly, Caroline, Andrew, Will

     I am delighted to report that shortly after we left Will proposed to Holly - and she accepted - so here she is with her future mother-in-law.

     We had lunch at Squire's Village Restaurant, a charming spot, with great food. The smoked salmon in a wrap that I chose was delicious and Miriam said that her breakfast sandwich was, too.

     It was great to have Will and Holly as our guides (and Will doubled as our driver) since they knew various beaches and coves and inlets, and took us to quiet spots where we could immerse ourselves in the splendour of it all, and never have to jostle for a place on the beach.

     It was only our footsteps that left an imprint in the sand.

 

Andrew, Caroline, Miriam

     You have met everyone now, so I will not keep labelling the pictures.

     I am pretty sure that this is the spiny seed of American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua).

     It was probably washed in on the tide. The tree occurs in nearby Florida, USA and may be present in The Bahamas, but I could find nothing to confirm it.

     Hermit crabs fascinate me endlessly. This is Paguristes tortugae, sometimes known as Bandeye Hermit.

     Our adventures with marine life continued and we were gobsmacked to see a Giant Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) swimming close to shore in shallow water.

     With dogged persistence Miriam followed it and was able to get some really decent pictures.

     What a bonus!

     This interesting looking creature is a bivalve in the class Bivalvia, but you will not be surprised that I am unable to identify it specifically.

     While I am always keen to identify what I see, and spend countless happy hours following a trip researching, it does not diminish the pleasure of discovery by being unable to put a name to it. After all, the realm of the seashore is rarely experienced by someone who lives in the middle of the continent of North America.

     Conch (genus Conumurex, family Strombidae), seems to be intimately connect to Bahamian culture and culinary practice and shells were seen everywhere.

      Holly found this live animal and was able to show it to us.

     How utterly fascinating!

     It was a brave man who first decided it would be good to eat!

     A couple of white morph Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens) provided great entertainment for us, as they pranced, danced and preened as only Reddish Egrets can!

     Here is a Six-keyhole Sand Dollar (Leodia sexiesperforata).

     We left to return home late afternoon, having decided to go to Walter's for dinner. 

     Let me tell you about Walter's. It is barely more than a shack on the beach, the service is slow, there is a general air of lassitude about the place, it is not especially cheap - yet it is loved by everyone, especially by the staff of the Island School and the various research facilities on Eleuthera. And we got to love it, too.

     Fittingly, I had conch fritters for dinner.

     As we waited for our food we watched the sun go down across the bay.

     

     Not a bad way to end the day, I think you will agree!