I didn't know they did that!
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 7:32 am
If there was a pop quiz that included "reptile", "underwater", and "Maho Bay", we would all immediately respond with: "turtle!". While that would be the right answer, we learned on Friday that it isn't the only one. After a few days of villa improvement projects, we took that day off, and spent it paddle boarding, snorkeling, and eating West Indian takeout at Maho Bay Beach. At one point, as I was standing chest deep in the water, I was startled to watch an iguana strut down from the bush to the beach, duck under the small waves, and swim for an extended period out from the beach, along the bottom! Infrequently, he or she would surface, gulp some air, and then head down again, much as a turtle would. It got at least 50' out from shore at one point. The iguana was negatively buoyant, and seemed to swim as much by using its paws against the sand as it did the water; its long tail also assisted in propulsion. I have no idea what it was after beyond a refreshing dip in the sea, as it didn't seem to pursue prey (you can see silversides above it in the photo below). After it headed back towards the beach, and was tossed back and forth by the small waves, it headed once more out to sea, before finally swimming ashore to bask contentedly in the sun.
I have heard of deer swimming from island to island, but being accustomed to watch iguanas climb our flamboyant to catch some rays, and then barely move all afternoon, I was really surprised to see one actively "taking a sea bath", as they say. To be fair, we used to catch them on the deck by the pool before Coconuts became popular with renters, and wondered if they went for a dip when no one was around.
I also wonder if, from time to time, the iguanas vaguely resent we recent mammalian usurpers, and reminisce about the golden age when they and their kind held dominion over the earth.
PS: Having returned to New England a day before the "Blizzard of 15" that now engulfs us, it feels like "Opposites Day", compared to St. John.
All the best,
Kevin
I have heard of deer swimming from island to island, but being accustomed to watch iguanas climb our flamboyant to catch some rays, and then barely move all afternoon, I was really surprised to see one actively "taking a sea bath", as they say. To be fair, we used to catch them on the deck by the pool before Coconuts became popular with renters, and wondered if they went for a dip when no one was around.
I also wonder if, from time to time, the iguanas vaguely resent we recent mammalian usurpers, and reminisce about the golden age when they and their kind held dominion over the earth.
PS: Having returned to New England a day before the "Blizzard of 15" that now engulfs us, it feels like "Opposites Day", compared to St. John.
All the best,
Kevin