Captiva Crouch
They’re baaack. We’ve been waiting all week for those west winds to push the shells up on the beach…. and now we got our wish. Shells were washing up at Blind Pass this afternoon but not on the new sand bar. They were piling up all along the beach at our old fave spot on the right side of the jetty rocks on Captiva.
Sani-Belles Val, Suzie, Ella (Mom), Ellene
My favorite finds yesterday were…. The Sani-Belles!! Girls know how to have fun in this family and they do it in their iLoveShelling tee shirts and named themselves Sani-Belles for their love of the islands! Shelling sister Sani-Belle Val from New Mexico (Every day I cherish that ornament she made me) brought her sisters Sani-Belle Suzie and Sani-Belle Ellene and their mom Sani-Belle Ella (California) out to Blind Pass at the perfect time of day laughing and giggling every moment with every scoop of shells they found.
Sani-belle Suzie's shell bag
Sani-belle Suzie has a pretty darn good shelling eye.
Sani-Belle suzie's Juvenile Southern Quahog
Look at the pattern on this JUVENILE SOUTHERN QUAHOG. I had a little difficulty identifying this shell because the pattern is so similar to the LADY-IN-WAITING VENUS clam. MurexKen came to the rescue again to help correctly identify it. I would have never thought something named a QUAHOG could be mixed up with a LADY-IN-WAITING (only perhaps in Shrek). Thanks MK!
Sani-Belle Suzie's tiny flat scallop
We also saw ALPHABET CONES, FLORIDA CONES, a LACE MUREX, HORSE CONCHS, WHELKS, colorful SCALLOPS and too many LETTERED OLIVED to count.
Lace Murex in shells
I couldn’t believe my eyes! I found a MERMAID resting on the jetty rocks!
Mermaid Ella
It was crazy how many OLIVES were rolling in. We also found those huge (relatively speaking…. they are only 2 inches long ;)) AUGERS Every time the waves hit the shore, it seemed to bring AUGERS and OLIVES. Here’s a look at what we experienced yesterday. Enjoy the video.
Oh my goodness! That is Heaven-on-Earth!! I LOVE the sound of those shells crunching over each other with each wave.
Your Shrek comment made me laugh – it was the perfect comparison. And that mermaid Ella picture was precious. Made me glad my 5th child’s middle name is Ella. What fun! That started my day off just right. Thanks yet again!
Love the vid! WOW a 2 inch Auger! That’s so cool…thank you, Pam. Makes me feel like I’m right there with you all experiencing all the fun as the waves break on the shore. Sigh.
It’s a feeding frenzy! I’m (as always) green with jealousy. However, in order to remain proactive, this week I reserved our Pointe Santo unit for October. I’m counting down again!
Awesome, all you shellin’ sistahs!
I’m at home with sick kids—thank you for letting my mind wonder to a peaceful place without Strep!
Next trip will be in March – Cannot wait but still sorting shells from last trip.
Ughh…at work so have to wait until I get home for video, but I love the pictures and the attitudes of the Sani-Belles!! They look so cute in their shirts!! And Suzie’s shell bag looks fabulous.
Sigh…it will probably be Sept or Oct before I can make it back too. But until then I can virtual visit with this blog…thanks.
What a delight!!! I know the Sani-Belles…..especially my super good friend Val. She and her husband, Dave, introduced me and my husband to shelling, Sanibel Island and PAM this past December. Val just can’t get enough of shelling.
How fun to open this blog and find not only pictures of my friend and her sisters and Mom, but to also watch and listen to their voices on the video…Brings back a lot of Great Memories when we were there last month…..
Thanks Pam….
Awesome! Shelling heaven! Wish I was there!
Wow. You found some pretty cone shells too. That’s what I hope for in my next visit to Sanibel.
I’ve not seen a quahog with a pattern like that. Very pretty find.
Wow – I sure wish i was there. Looks like an amazing shelling experience. Some beautiful shells. I am trying to get a shelling day in very soon!!