Shellzam! Elyssa found a CABRITS MUREX! We don’t see these spectacsheller spiny treasures wash up on our shores of Southwest Florida very often so it was exciting to see such a beauty. But wait! Huh? Another one? Yes! Elyssa’s mom Jeanne (Indiana) found one too in the same area at Blind Pass Sanibel this morning. Woot Woot!
They must have some good shelling blood in their family. Congratshellations y’all!
I got out on the beach this morning before sunrise at a negative low tide to see what loot I might find washed up on the shore. First person I saw was Tracly (Gainsville, FL) with her flashlight – they were both beaming.
She was thrilled to find her ALPHABET CONE along with a nice FLAT SCALLOP, TULIP, NUTMEG, WHELK and a very cool cluster of BARNACLES.
It was so nice to meet Linda from PA too. She was overjoyed after finding her JUNONIA. Boom Shellalaka! This was just one of many great shells she found before I got there at 7am. She was there at 5am. hahaha Love it!
Erin (Ft Myers) and Shannon (Norfolk, VA!) were there with their flashlights too letting the shells wash up to their toes.
Erin and Shannon showed me their fave shells and I fell in love with her wrist tatt. (okay, I’m really not that cool to have a tattoo or to even call it a “tatt” but I couldn’t resist- heehee). Seriously though, its so sweet. It’s says …. just breathe ♥♥♥
Savannah was collecting shells for her mom’s birthday…
Here is Savannah with her brother Tommy, her mom Melissa and dad Thom. Melissa told me that her mother Barb was the sheller of the family who got them all hooked on beach combing but instead of hitting the negative low tide, she wanted to bake Melissa her favorite birthday cake. Awwwww…. so sweet!!! Happy birthday Melissa!
Kevin from Ontario was very happy to be in 70 degree weather but even happier to have scooped up the perfect ALPHABET CONE. He said his favorite saying is “Conch If You Love Shelling!” hahahha I’m Conching!
Okay, do me a favor… I want you to go back up and look at the photo of the beach where Tracly was sitting with her yellow bucket and flashlight. That was at 7am … and by 10am this is what happened to that same spot. A shell mound! OMG That’s how quickly the beach changes!
I took a video so I’ll try to get that up and running soon so you can see for yourself how exciting it can be to watch the shells come in. Tomorrow is another veeeerrrry low tide in the morning so it should be fun to see what washes in next! To see the Tide Chart CLICK HERE.
Come shelling with us this Friday January 3, 2014!!! CLICK HERE for more info
Just awesome!
Wow guys!!! Fantastic. Oh how I wish I Was there. Yes please put a vid up Pam, that would make my day!
Thanks Pam
Mary Ann
East Granby CT
I would love to find a cabrits murex. When we come next year there will be a new moon and very low tides. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good shelling.
I can’t wait for the video-it will help keep me warm. Happy New Year everyone!
Pat
I like how so many awesome shells are being ignored by the shellers, presumably because they already have plenty of each of them and are looking for more rare ones to add to their collection. It’s funny because I, who only get to shell at Revere Beach, would be ALL OVER every shell I saw, since the pickings at Revere Beach are so sparse.
That’s awesome!! We were at Gulfside at about 6:30 am and had very little luck, looks like Blind Pass was the place to be!!!
Well Shell Sistah, another fine year of shelling & beachcombing under our belts (or waterproof fanny pack as the case may be). You make beaching and blogging look so easy but I know how much hard work, effort & $$ you put into daily adventures.
Thank you for sharing your heart and your slice of paradise with us all. Praying 2014 will be a year that all your dreams come true. That the Lord’s Face would shine on you and Clark and be even more gracious to you. Keep spreading that sandy & shelly joy. xo
Kaybe, thank YOU for such a sweet note. It has been another wonderful shelling year and to be able to share it with friends like you is priceless. Here’s to another year of beautiful beach combing.
Oh wow beyond wow, I would love to find a Cabrit’s murex! And that first one with all the spines pretty much intact, how great is that?
Sanibel is just amazing. I had wanted to visit Sanibel for over 50 years, since I saw some photos in National Geographic magazine when I was a small child in England. I have now been to Sanibel three times, and I can honestly say it is everything I had hoped it would be, and more! Shell heaven.
Thanks Pam for exporting Sanibel to everyone who has a computer and an internet connection!
Susan H, it’s my pleasure! It would be a shame not to share these magical islands. Thank YOU for all of your educational information as well. It’s always fun to learn new things from you.
LOL – you crack me up!! Tatt! That was so funny. Next time I come down maybe we need to go get some Tatts together. I keep talking about getting one and never get around to it.
Happy New Year my beautiful friend!
YIKES! this is just killing me. We will be there next month. ONe more day and I can say THIS MONTH!!! so excited, can’t stand it.
Another great post. I was fortunate enough to get down to Sanibel twice this year and had the double pleasure of seeing you twice as well. Your ongoing treasure hunt keeps all your readers hopeful for yet another cyber shelling adventure, educational tip, a HaHa moment ( I love those) videos that should win some kind of award and the breathtaking pictures you share with us. Thank you Thank you Thank you. You and Clark are very special people, I feel blessed to have enjoyed your company and postings now for 2 years………. Well gotta go now and shovel the SNOW so we can get out to buy our pork and fixings for tonight..Yes I said the “S” word snow not sunshine.
Happy New Year L-O-R-E-E
Shellers rejoice !!
1~1~14: The first time in 19 years when the MOON is NEW on NY’s Day yee haw!!
MOONRISE 7:11 am
SUNRISE 7:16 am
+ LOWTIDE -0.8 7:05 am
_______________________
SPECTACULAR SHELLING !!!
Good luck in the morning to Shellin’ Sistahs and Sheller Fellers :) :)
Shellotte
Happy New Year to all shellers and friends. Sis Martha and I spent 2 great weeks on Sanibel and one on Marco this Dec. Finds not so good even with a full moon. Always seem to be in the wrong place. So, when we heard about a pontoon trip on Marco to a sand bar we decided to try it. It was a trifecta trip…wonderful shells, dolphins, and to top it off Mama and child Manatees. Got 3 alphies, a Florida, lots of olives and sand dollars. No pinks, but our guide was so knowledgeable and fun we need to recommend Dreamlanders tours.
OK – we’ve been socked in the house trying to re-build a bathroom….but tomorrow AM – SEE YA AT BLIND PASS!!!! Wow…..
I have never been to Sanibel, this is going to be my first time going out there in March (for my Birthday). I am a Stage IV OVCA survivor and I am a shell addict. I cannot wait. This is like a dream come true for me. However, how is the best way to get my shells back home? I am from Oklahoma, do I get them shipped?
Clark and I always pack shells in our suitcases when coming back from vacation. We always feel like if we can’t fit it in our suitcases- where in the world are we going to find room to display them in our home. But some folks bring lots of shells home for craft projects and fun displays like filling lamps so they do use shipping services like Quik Pak N Ship on Sanibel or USPS flat rate boxes. Either way, I think you will have a wonderful time in Sanibel! Happy Birthday!
Yeah this will probably be my only chance to get there, I usually go to Galveston, I’ve been lucky to get to Port Aransas once, the shelling hasn’t been great since the last hurricane in Galveston IMHO, but oh my goodness the shelling in Sanibel, I swear I wouldn’t even need a hotel room, I’d just sleep on the beach with a sleeping bag. LOLOL ;) All kidding aside, thanks for the advice. I would use some for decorating and some for crafts and gifts. My apartment is decorated in all beach.