My 3 Minute Find
I found an amazing shelling spot today! When I checked out the beach in front of Casa Ybel Resort, I looked up the beach to the right and saw the beach forming a little peak with a couple of people shelling in the surf. I headed straight for it and found a ton of shells rolling up in the surf. I wasn’t on the beach 3 minutes when I looked down and picked up this HORSE CONCH.
Catching the shells as they roll in
I saw Mark from Carlsbad, New Mexico catching some nice NUTMEGS and WHELKS then introduced me to his nephew, Shane. Shane found 3 nice ALPHABET CONES! He just scooped up this 3 1/2 inch ALPHABET beauty in his net along with a FIGHTING CONCH and a MUREX…….this was one scoop that he got all 3 shells.
Shane with a 3 1/2 inch alphabet cone
Mark and his brother Stan (Shane’s dad) have been coming to Sanibel since 1974 with their families so they are long time shellers. Sorry, Mark and Stan, but I think Shane kicked your butts out there today finding 3 ALPHABET CONES ……and maybe more. They were still out there when I left.
Mark, Shane and Stan
I also ran into another guy…Ron from Washington D.C. and he found a nice HORSE CONCH too. It was around the size of mine but maybe bigger. I guess I have to hand it over to the guys today…they won the “who got the best shells today” contest.
Ron's horse conch, tulip, murex and whelks
To top it all off, I got an update on Laura D.’s collection. She found another huge HORSE CONCH and lots more. Here are her treasures……just 2 days worth of shelling on Sanibel. Wow!
Laura D's 2 day shell collection
I can hardly stand it! I’m not so good at waiting for things, and it’s a long time until October!! I NEED some horse conchs!!
What a spot for shelling! It was worth the massive sunburn lol. I will be sure to show everybody back in Greensboro North Carolina this cool, growing blog. It was nice meeting you Pam and I LOVE your website/blog.
I am so fortunate to be heading to the Island at the end of April! These pictures from the last several days help the days go by – Sheri, I know how you feel! I haven’t been to Sanibel since last October, but knowing that I WILL be back fills my days with dreams of sun, sand,and SHELLS…………….. Thanks again, Pam, for helping to keep the dream alive daily : )
Mary Jo, you took the words right out of my mouth! We are also heading down at the end of April and it can’t come fast enough! Hopefully the shelling will be as good as has been and we can find some of the beauties we’ve seen posted here. We love everything about Sanibel and Captiva but for me the shelling is the best! I too, want to say thanks again Pam for sharing this wonderful site with all of us. It makes the waiting easier!!!! Just 29 more days!!!!
Hey Pam, Sounds like you had a wonderful time with my two brother’s and nephew today. It’s great seeing a picture of them. Sister and two niece’s heading to Sanibel in the morning. I’m in NC, but opposite corner than my brother and his son. Hi from Elizabeth City.
Thank you, yall! It’s my pleasure- I love doing this. Bobbi Jo, your guys were having a ball out there… the weather was perfect today! You’ve got a really nice family.
I go to your site like 7 times a day,I love it!! I’ve never seen a blog site like yours.Thank you..again :) We have 10 more days,then 4 days after that & every month for 3 months after for us. Your blog is so addictive but in a good way ofcourse :)
What treasures! I’m so jealous. We just left Sanibel last weekend, and I’m in complete withdrawal… but at least I came home with enough treasures to hopefully tide me over (bad pun intended) until the next time.
A shell question: I found several alphabet cones while we were there, but the prettiest one has a lot of teeny tiny pin-holes, mainly in the white areas. Is there something I could use to inconspicuously fill them in, or should I just embrace the imperfections? Also, what type of glue do you recommend for shell crafting? I meant to see if the shell shops sold anything especially for that purpose, but forgot. Thanks in advance!
I wouldn’t try to change the alphabet cone. I’m sure it’s still beautiful….and it’s still a memory. That’s what keeps us going….”next time, I’m going to find that huge, perfect alphabet cone!” …or in my case….”next time, I’m going to find a perfect junonia!”.