An amazing group of 24 shellers have gotten together from all over the country (and even Canada and Cuba!) to share the Shellabaloo 2 shelling experience on Sanibel and Captiva! It all started last night with cocktails and fabulous dinner at Island Inn Sanibel to share in our excitement for the next few days of our shelling adventure. Our dreams came true after seeing the shellacious shell pile waiting for us at Blind Pass Captiva this morning.
There were oodles of shells waiting to be uncovered. Terri found a gold mine of goodies all in one spot. She found the Sanibel Six in less than an hour!
Then I heard that familiar little yelp… you know, that one when someone finds something really good. Susan (from GTMO Cuba!) found an ALPHABET CONE!
Shelling Sistah Lisa (NJ) found her own seashell honey hole right near the jetty rocks…
She found a WENTLETRAP! We find them often on Sanibel but rarely on Captiva so this was a really good find there. She also found a FLAT, WORMIES, a KEYHOLE LIMPET, and WHELKS…
Tom plucked a beautiful BANDED TULIP out of a scoop of shells he was sifting and Sharene matched him with an awesome NUTMEG…
Nice, huh?
After a picnic lunch, we moved on to shell at Gulfside City Park to find huge wrack lines of shells and BEACH BLING. I think Rusty and Donna love Beach Bling as much as I do!
They found a purple SEA WHIP with two ONE-TOOTH SIMNIAS on it!
Along with finding lots of other goodies, Pat’s (Boca Raton) fave was this delicate PAPER FIG…
These photos are only the tip of the iceberg of the shells found today and only a few of the spectasheller folks I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with the last 2 days.
The Shellabaloo 2 will continue for two more days of shell filled fun so I will have lots more photos and introductions to make of my new found shelling buddies. If the weather and shell piles continue like today, we are in for another exshellent day in store for us tomorrow. I’m psyched!
What good luck you had for your Shellabaloo. So many shells! Ilove the one-tooth simnia. I have only found one before and it was a pale purple. I thought it was a broken shell at first. Blind pass certainly had a lot of shells and so did gulfside city park. Hope the weather and shells hold up.
Pat
Can’t wait till tomorrow. What great shelling today when we got back to Island Inn! I LOVE SHELLING!
Oh my lands..,,what great luck!!!!! So glad it’s turning out good for everyone. Have fun – wish I was there! Johnnie
Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time shelling. Looking forward to future posts & pictures.
What a wonderful way to spend time… Ocean, sand, sun, and SHELLS … And of course… Good company! Enjoy and share your great finds. We land locked lurkers live thru your adventures! ;-)
Had to chuckle at your reference to “land locked lurkers”! That’s exactly how I feel! Thanks, Pam for all your willingness to share your adventures and those of like desire. Looks like everyone is having a great time with great weather and above all making new friends. Have a fabulous time all!
Hey! That’s my shell collection you’re pillaging! I keep it right there, on that beach!
;-)
The stuff of my dreams!!
Sanibel rated #3 on Today show this morning
On list of happiest seaside places. Enjoy the rest
Of your adventure in paradise.
Wish I had seen the segment. Where were 1 and 2?
Beaufort SC
Harwichport MA
I have been to both but prefer Sanibel
I’m hoping for a Shellabaloo 3!
Wowee, looks like major fun!
Looks like such a fun time, so many shells. Wish I was there, too. I am looking to purchase a nice Seashell coffee table book. Would anyone have any suggestions for me?
How awesome is that! Like Fantasy Island with smiles all around. Have fun everyone and I wish I was there shelling with you!
Pam, you must have a direct line to the shelling gods – how did you pull off such an amazing shell pile??
I’ve got good shellephone service!! Lol
LOL…..you come up with some great ones girl!!
Wow, looks like everyone had a great time….miss being there terribly!
Hellooooo Shellabaloo’ers!!! What an awesome time you are having, I know cause I am a Shellabaloo’er too, went to the first one!!!!
Mother nature has blessed you all with great finds!! A huge shell pile and an awesome wreck line for beach bling! I’m drooling!!!
I look forward to more pictures but I know that the picture only tell us a small part of how special the the shellabaloo really is!!!
Pam, you did it again!!! Your such a gem!!
Depending when #3 will be, cross my fingers I’ll be able to go again!!!
Sorry we missed the fun by a couple days. Hope to meet up with you next week to catch up. We will be staying near Gulfside City Park beginning Sat. You go Girls and Guys!! You have a great shell leader in Pam!!!
Why are junonia shells always found empty, never with a live animal?
They live in deep water so the live mollusk would have to travel a long long way from deep water to Sanibel’s very shallow water and still stay healthy…which would be difficult.
Tom and I had a great time and it was great meeting you. We will have to do it again. So this is not good bye but till we meet again.