Pear whelk with fluffy clouds
The sky was brilliant blue with white fluffy clouds. The wind was calm so the gulf was like a sheet of glass but just enough breeze to cool the air. It was just like a tropical paradise. Ahhhh. Here are some photos of shells and some other island treasures that I ran into…..all this weekend.
Shell pile at Blind Pass
Lace Murex
Snowy Plover baby on Sanibel
While I was shelling on the east end of Sanibel, Margie from Rochester, NY showed me this cute baby SNOWY PLOVER closely watched by it’s parents. This is an endangered bird so it’s very exciting to see new healthy babies.
Royal terns on North Captiva
Clark with a lightning whelk
Hundreds of live juvenile conchs digging their way back to safety from low tide
Lightning whelk at low tide ....and nothing inside! I got to bring this one home.
From Blind Pass on Captiva to the lighthouse on Sanibel, to boating to North Captiva then back to the east end of Sanibel, the islands were alive, healthy and the prettiest I’ve seen them. Not a bad weekend, I’d say.
Wow thats a huge Pear whelk & Lightning whelk,the Lace Murex is really pretty in color too. So cute is the Snowy Plover,so tiny aslo. What is Clark wearing around his neck,I can’t tell. That’s the shelling net I’d like to get my hubby,it’s his 40th BD this weekend & we are going to try to make it down to Sanibel.Thank you so much for this blog,my kids say thank you too,they loved it.
He has a waterproof bag on a lanyard for his phone around his neck. We’ve had too many phones get ruined by water! These bags are fantastic.
Where can I purchase those bags? I always wish I could have my camera with me when I’m shelling but worry about getting it wet.
Mary Ann- I bought several different waterproof bags at Bass Pro Shop. I use mine every day I’m shelling for phone and camera. Good luck.
as much as I love shells I have to say that little bird stole my heart. What an angel!!!! love stopping by here, for a peek at the other coast. :)
Love your shots here! The shell pile is amazing…, and the birds…, I just always get a kick out of them (here seagulls) how they’re blissfully standing in the sun and wind.
I love your photos… especially the baby bird !!! Glad you had a wonderful weekend.
You don’t have to live on Sanibel to feel homesick!! Thank you for the great photos!
did you keep the pear whelk and murex or did you leave them. i love those shells they are BEAUTIFUL.i wish i lived near you or at least near the beach.
A lace murex with a pink top and nobody inside? That one goes right in my pocket. The pear was so clean and perfect I had to keep that one too. Saw some other ones but they were alive and very healthy and hopefully will remain that way for a long time.
Love the baby bird!!
That little baby snowy plover was so fast I’m surprised I could even get a shot of him. He blended in with the sand they are so hard to see.
Pam, I can’t tell you how much I miss shelling on the Gulf and your photos really made me homesick. We just don’t have any shelling days like that here on the Atlantic.
I’m glad you like the name I gave my new digs. I wanted to be sure I could pronounce it correctly (would be embarrassing if I couldn’t), so I googled it and found this:
Coquillage: [koh-ki-lahzh]
You can hear it at this link:
Coquillage
thanks so much for all the great photos,..I also love the photo of the terns.. it is precious… and also the latest updates. I have never seen the Florida Cone shells, the tiny white ones… they are beautiful. I live on Floridas east coast…. do you know if they can be found over on this side??? Have never seen them,… that’s why I am asking.
I’ve never seen cones on the east coast. we used to live in the grove in miami- found conchs, sea biscuits, cowries, whelks and other shells in the upper keys.
Pam–
What a lovely shot you took of the plover hatchling we were trailing last weekend! Such clarity! I enjoyed the other shots on your web site too. Was very impressed with the aestheticism of your eye. The shot of shells at low tide had a wonderful spiraling movement down the center of the pic. The shot of the clear sky and gulf waters made me feel and taste the purity. I feel so at home viewing your web site–It awakens my senses and makes me more alive to the moment. Plenty spiritual, I’d say.
It was great meeting you and sharing a kindred moment of wonder. I will check in periodically to your site to refresh my spirit.
Margie
P.S. The inner city first grader I gave the shells to, including your top shell, was quite enthralled for our entire 45-minute session. I had him match the shells to the pictures on a laminated card of sea shells. We talked about each one. He wrote the names He found baby whelks in the whelk egg case you gave me. How teeny and darling they are! It was a day of great learning and wonder for him! THX!!!!