The Key Hole

We spent last week at a small anchorage on the south side of Peter Island called the Key Hole. After the above picture was taken, we moved the boat closer to shore, attached with a stern line, in order to keep us out of the wind. It was a very private anchorage, and I enjoyed a bushwhack hike up onto the hills and around the rather large brackish pond, which had a couple of bird speies which were new for me. We only had to share it with one or two other boats until the last night, when for some reason a half dozen charter cats decided to be our best friends.

An interesting thing which happened at this bay was that Judy found a Lionfish, which after looking up we realized was an aggressive invasive species which threatens the native fish populations. After a couple of phone calls to the appropriate authorities, we were determined to kill it with a large fork duct taped to a boat hook. I was practicing my "spearing" as we were snorkeling out to the marker which we had left the day before (this species tends to hang out in the same place for long periods, and this individual had been there for at least two days, after Judy first spotted it). So, you can imagine our disappointment when we arrived at the site and found that the fish was no longer there, and we were not going to be Eco-Heros. Oh, well, we'll stay vigilant ;-) Here's a picture of a Lionfish (from online), so you have an idea what I'm talking about. They are a stikingly beautiful fish, but they belong in the Pacific (or someone's aquarium), not here.



It tends to shower briefly here most early mornings, so we get some fantastic rainbows. Here are a couple of pics from one rainbow we enjoyed at the Key Hole.