Live Limpets on a fallen tree on Cayo Costa
No rain and no work! …. Time to get out on the water. We took the boat out to our fave spots North Captiva and Cayo Costa. We found three BABY’S EARS, a few WHELKS and WORM SHELLS (only a few) and the views were spectacular. Well worth the trip.
Periwinkle on Cayo Costa
Ibis and roots
South tip of Cayo Costa
Limpets in wood grain
Barnacles on tree root ( I know, nothing fancy but I thought it looked very picturesque)
Ibis in a Cayo Costa tree
Ibis enjoying the view
Clark with a Rocksnail
We weren’t really sure what this shell was Clark found but he insisted it was something good. It kinda looks like a worn KINGS CROWN but the opening edge is sort of serrated. It was really slimed with algae and gunk so Clark got it cleaned up and then check again in the books to see if it’s a ROCKSNAIL . That’s what it looks like so far. It’s got some wear and tear but it’s 2 and a half inches long and it’s not something we find every day. I think it’s a good find too, Clark! (Update- 10-7-10: Yes, it’s a rocksnail. We got verification from MurexKen and Dr. Jose Leal from the Shell Museum. Thank you both!)
Rocksnail
Rocksnail
Birds on North Captiva
Christine (Venice FL) finding shells on North Cap
Pelican landing strip
I enjoyed this post. I was at Cayo Costa last month. I loved it. Thanks for bringing back great memories.
Hi Pam! Funny! We found 3 rocksnails (we think) back in May! First time for us! We actually thought they were Kings Crowns until we cleaned them up a bit and realized they were something else. We had to pull our books out too! Not as colorful as kings crowns and definitely have serrated edges! Beautiful shell! Ours aren’t quite as colorful as the one Clark found! Let us know if they aren’t Rocksnails!
Pam, you were right – Cayo Costa looks so much like Stump Pass. I’m so glad you got to get out and go exploring. I took a water taxi from Gas Can Marina on Bokelia to get out to the island. The owner grew up on Cayo Costa and gave us the grand tour. He told us all kind of neat stories about growing up there. Funny thing – you could throw a rock and almost hit Stump Pass from there. It’s just Boca Grande & Gasparilla Island that seperate them.
So many of your photographs are frame-worthy. That Periwinkle is a gorgeous shot.
We always enjoy seeing photo’s of Pelicans,more so when they are in groups. All the photo’s are so pretty…we still havent found any Baby Ears,maybe our next visit. Even our kids are going through withdrawals.
You have some wonderful pic, Pam! Seeing everything makes me itchy for our upcoming visit. Can’t wait!! Just 5 more weeks!
Gorgeous photos, Pam!! We were at Cayo Costa in August. I love how the dead trees and roots look against the water on that end of the island. Brings back good memories and I am ready to be back now!
Pam, it is always good to read you blog and look at your beautiful pictures. Yes, the “Rock Snail” is the Florida Rock Snail or Stramonita haemastoma floridana. This shell is not all that common around Sanibel & Captiva Islands and is a nice find, especially the size of Clark’s one. Calling the other shells “limpets” is actually “false”, so to speak. The are actually the Striped false limpet or Siphonaria pectinata, http://shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=156 They are pulmonates or air breathers, which is one reason they can live at or above the high tide line. Keep up the great pictures and commentary. Cheers, MK
Rocksnail it is, Stramonita haemastoma floridana, see http://shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=76
As always, your pictures are gorgeous! I love to look at them. Clark has a good eye for shells. He is getting to be an expert.
Wow, great blog!! I wish I had found it before our trip to Sanibel! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog…I really appreciate your comment.
xoxo, cassie
great pictures! i am so glad you posted the barnacles shot because personally i always think they are photo worthy as well. have a lovely day ~
Oh my!! Three more days until we reach the island. We are so excited, we can barely stand it. Long drive, but from the looks of things, well worth it.
Looks like you had a lovely time. Great pictures. It’s always nice that you share them with us. I love to read your blog entries. Keeps me going until we get to Sanibel again! Cheerio!
Beeea-u-tiful pictures! The first picture looks like a painting!!!
….I feel like I went boating with ya….plus I am learning a ton!!!
PS…Hi MOM!!!!
We’ve boated to Cayo Costa a couple of times and plan on returning in Oct. When you go to the south tip of the island, where do you beach your boat? We have a great map, but thought your experience might be worthwhile. Love your blog and check almost every day for more great pictures and info from Sanibel. Can’t get enough!
Thanks!