Fighting conch at the lighthouse
The water was brilliant blue and aqua at the lighthouse today and clear as a bell. This live FIGHTING CONCH was over a foot deep but looked like it was barely covered with water. I love days like this! I saw a few OLIVES and MUREXES washing in that were pretty good size so maybe that storm cell that came through on Sunday is bringing in a few of the good size shells instead of the minis (not that there’s anything wrong with minis!).
Dee (Cape Cod)
Dee loves the minis. She’s got a whole hand full of DRILLS, MUREXES and lots of other cuties. She told me that she was visiting friends in Marco who took her out on their boat to the 10,000 Islands where they found CONES, TULIPS and NUTMEGS. Her friends are big shellers that shell every day and have a glass lamp that is half way filled with JUNONIAS. Whoa! That’s a lot of JUNONIAS.
Elise (Lexington, Mass)
We saw a live ORANGE RIDGED STARFISH washed up on the shoreline. Elise had never picked one up so I showed her how to look for the movement of the little legs (no, I’m sure that’s not the technical name) on the underside and feel them “stick” to her hand. This one was alive so she returned it to the water in hopes that it will survive.
Starfish at the lighthouse
I am very excited about seeing several schools of COWNOSE RAYS too! I only got video of them and haven’t gotten to download them yet…..so hopefully tonight I can share them! I will try to get it up and running for tomorrow by the latest. They were soooo close!
What a beautiful day and what happy shellers you met! I wish I could’ve been there, too!
I love shelling all over the island, but the lighthouse has always been my favorite spot! I have been there when the water is as clear as it was today- found a deep brown (chocolate)tulip there once and, of course, my junonia:) Four days and counting and I’ll be there! Staying at Caribe- I love it there!
We usually go to Blind Pass so it’s nice to see what’s at Lighthouse Beach. You really do have the best luck with finding great shells :) We’re counting down till our next trip and will make sure to check out Lighthouse Beach.
I hope the water stays that clear and beautiful. However, I read the other day that there will be a release from Lake O soon. Not happy to hear it, but it’s the down side of having had decent rainfall during the dry season.
Tink *~*~*