Colorful moon snail
The moon was full and the low tides were in the early evening this weekend so it was a perfect time to get out and see Mother Nature on the beaches of Sanibel Island. This COLORFUL MOON SNAILwas about 2 1/2 inches round and so beautiful….but I didn’t get to bring it home because he was still alive and well…. that’s a good thing.
apple murex egg case
Last week I posted a picture of an APPLE MUREX mound then MurexKen commented on that post to let us know that it was a female laying eggs. Now, look what I found! This is what those eggs look like with some of the murexes still surrounding them.
Murex egg case
I found another smaller egg case too with only one murex still on it. Not sure if this is the female still laying more eggs but if so, where did all of her men go to?? Did she run them off?
King's crown with egg case
We hit the jackpot when we found this perfect KING’S CROWN in a shallow low tide pool on the east end. When we picked it up, we realized that it was still alive…. but more importantly, she was laying eggs too! She found an old FIGHTING CONCH and decided this would be a perfect place to “birth her babies” ;) . We gently put her back in the water where we found her so she could go about her way. We may not have been able to keep that gorgeous shell but just seeing Mother Nature in progress was hitting that jackpot for us.
Cathy (Orlando, FL)
Cathy from Orlando had her cup over-floweth with CALICO SCALLOPS, WHELKS, MUREXES and other treasures. She said she loves to come for weekends to go shelling any chance she gets. It was a beautiful Memorial Day holiday weekend for her to choose.
Low tide shelling
As always, great pictures. It is so nice to see all the live mollusks on the sandbars. Thanks.
The “colorful moon snail” is a Gaudy Natica, isn’t it? Or, are the names interchangeable? Regardless, it is lovely.
Really awesome! I have learned so much from your posts, Pam. Your photos are great…what kind of camera do you use? The pics are so clear and quite lovely. Thank you.
Where do you find the kings crown? I took my 8 year old son to Sanibel about 4 times and all he wants to do next time is find a kings crown. We love your website, keep up the great work!
We find ours on the bay side of the bridge between Sanibel and Captiva. It’s hard work going through the bushes. Absolutely go at low tide. After opening the pass it’s more difficult, more bushes to go through. Now that the pass is open we will see more along the beaches. While you’re there, look for the periwinkles hanging on the trees. Finding one that is not alive is a miracle. I only have one after shelling there for 11 years. I enjoy finding live “things” as much as getting an empty shell, so interesting to watch. Let me know if you get a Kings Crown.
It was a great few days for full moon, low tides during friendly daylight hours and signs of life in the tidal pools, wasn’t it? :) A lot of the egg casings are so pretty – they are just like works of art unto themselves. Really do love living ’round here :)
Tink *~*~*
do you find apple murex egg cases very often
Alison- yes they are the same. Some of my books call it the gaudy natica but the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum calls it the moon (and I’ve always called it that) so if I have a question…I go with what the shell museum says.
Christine- thanks! I use a little pocket panasonic lumix camera. I wish I had a nice telephoto but I can’t lug that around sloshing around in the water and sand….so this works great for me.
Callie- I was really surprised to see that big king’s crown on the east end of Sanibel- that’s not where I normally see them. I have found them at Blind Pass and North Captiva more often. I hope he finds one! Tell him I still haven’t found my junonia but that’s what keeps the hunt exciting…..one day.
Tink- you said it “works of art”
Brenda- no, I don’t find them often but I will be more aware of them now so maybe I’ll see more.
MK- it’s always good to see the live stuff- I don’t even mind having an empty shell bag.
I am learning so much about shells via your blog. The lighting in that first shot is so warm and inviting. I wish we had more of these shells on my coast, an excuse to head to yours. :)
The moon snail is gorgeous -so is the picture!
Thanks for sharing…it looked like you had a shellmorial day!
that is a awesome looking kings crown!!! thats so amazing that u actually got to see it lay its eggs.
hey Pam! I find rose tellins on the bay side, by the old ferry landing. Not a lot, but that’s the only place II consistently find the little darlings.
Ah-ha! Hiding out with the wentletraps and baby’s ears. After I posted the picture of the rose petal tellins, Clark said he has seen them on the pier side but just never picked them up. Thanks for passing on the info!
So beautiful.
wow.. Pam.. don’t know how I missed this post. the last photo of the low tide shelling is one of your best!!!!! Love it!
Cathy B
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com