3 sand dollars in the surf
This weekend was SAND DOLLAR heaven around West Gulf Drive beach access #7. There is a nice sand bar where they are washing up and peeking out from beneath the sand.
Deb and Merritt (Ohio)
Deb and Merritt had a whole shell bag filled with SAND DOLLARS.
Sand dollar shell bag
Deb and Merritt don’t even mess around with packing fragile shells in their suitcase to take home any more … they ship them!
Judith and Alex (Boca Raton)
Judith and Alex found lots of sand dollars too and since they drove to Sanibel, they won’t have a bit of problem getting them home without breaking.
Sand dollar sand bar straight ahead!
In this picture, you can see what that sand dollar sand bar looks like. Low tide was in the morning around 9:30 this weekend. The perfect weekend ….. sleep in late…..then go shelling for sand dollars!
Makes me yearn to be there!
What fun! Say Pam, how does one know if they’re dead or alive? Can you give us some info on this?
Take a look at the pictures of these sand dollars in this post and then compare them to this…. http://iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/05/25/the-gulf-is-alive-and-well/ . You’ll see how whitish the ones are that are dead and they’ve lost their brown color and their feet which look like fur. Hope this helps!
Hi Pam, aren’t these guys amazing!! I’ve never seen them in their environment before. And the patterns on them too. Nature really is insane. I use little ones on my Flotsam Friend dolls so I’m so glad to see where they come from. You certainly live in paradise. Pruxxx
I so wish I were there.
Pam, which is your favorite beach to shell on Sanibel? I know they all hold special treasures but which one do you like to go to if you have a choice?
Linda- It depends on the weather (really!) but take a look at this http://iloveshelling.com/blog/faqs/ .
Hope this helps!
Darn, when I was there, there was not one to be found, not even a broken one. Guess I need to come back.
I found some great sanddollars and ALOT of olive shells at Lover’s Key last Saturday at low tide. I walked the “other end” of the beach where the tram does NOT go. Also, many starfish but all alive.
I hope they didn’t take many live sand dollars. No need to just because they are within reach.
Shelling is addictive. Saw sharks today, had me a bit leary about running into the ocean. Found some of the tiniest shells as well. Now I know I want some of those sand dollar. Maybe another day.
9:30 AM huh? I can see I stay up way too late at night and sleep too late in the morning. :) When I came on vacation I was always up and on the beach before daylight everyday. I carried all my shelling paraphernalia with me, I scooped, netted and dug. Now, because I live here, I don’t go at it like it’s a job anymore. I love that relaxed feeling of going whenever I get there and being happy to find whatever might be waiting. If I’m meant to find something special it will be there. It’s great that you have not become lazy or given in to the ‘on island time’ syndrome. You’ve had good luck lately and your finds excellent.
Pam,
Forgive me for saying, but it appears from the photo that some of the sanddollars this couple collected may be alive. I am sure you don’t want to suggest to your readers that live sanddollars were collected and I am more than certain that it is not your intent to promote live shelling! Can you please clarify the photo? Live? or were they dead and had just not lost all of their color yet?
Thanks Pam!
Hi bean3, your feedback is always welcome! I assure you that the sand dollars I saw were NOT alive. They weren’t bright white but none were brown and they were very dead. They were very smooth (no feet or “fur”) and some had barnacles on them and broken. I of course didn’t sift through their bag but don’t even recall seeing any live ones that day. I am glad you asked since others may have wondered too.
Thank you Pam!