Seashells by Smitty
Smitty told me he found a few good shells like an ALPHABET CONE and then he said “I found a few CANDIES too”. It stopped me in my path. Did you say “Candies”? He sure did! He and his wife Marcia hang out with us here at iLoveShelling!
Smitty (GA) and his shells
Smitty and Marcia (sorry I missed you, Marcia!) have been visiting Sanibel to shell for 23 years and plan their trips around the moon and tides. He chose this week for not only the full moon but because there are also two low tides per day for optimal shelling. Notice in the photo above, the moon is practically sitting on his shoulder.
Smitty with shelling scoop
I had to show you this photo too because he uses the Seashell Sifter scoop to get his shells which Marcia gave him for his birthday. He told me a gal asked him “Is your name Clark?”. That was Barbara whom I met a little while earlier this evening and she thought he was Clark because she recognized the blue scoop that she sees Clark using in some of the blog pictures. Small world!
Ray and Barbara (NJ)
Barbara and Ray did end up finding the right Clark (they hang out with us here at iLS too!) and they also found lots of good shells to brag about. I have to admit that I think that Barbara is the one that found the FLORIDA CONE but it ended up in Ray’s hand. hmmmm. ;) As he told Clark “Possession is nine tenths of the law”. HA! They sound like us….just a little competitive, huh?
Ray's (left) and Barbara's hand full of seashells
After I took this photo, she found an ALPHABET CONE too…. Nice!
Alphabet cone with minis
Clark found most of these shells (below) in the water although I added the OPERCULUM, the BLACK JINGLES, CHANNELED DUCK CLAMS (which I call Sailor’s Ears, do you?), the little candy TRUE TULIP and the “CANDY” (little orange HORSE CONCH).
Our seashells
Can you identifiy the rest of them? If not, go to the SEASHELL IDENTIFICATION page to help. I do have to show you another TURKEY WING Clark found too. We mostly find these shells pretty beat up but this one is a beauty.
Clark's Turkey Wing
Look how small this TRUE TULIP is and it has a little white tip like the candies.
Candy true tulip
Live olive shell
Lightning Whelk egg chain in surf
Seashell seeker Clark
Sanibel Moon at sunset
great job everyone!
That last picture is truly beautiful. My DH said tonights moon is going to be the brightest in 18 yrs, so it should make for good shelling light. I’m going to try and get a picture of it.
Two more weeks and I’ll be joining you on the shell hunt! I can’t wait! I lay in bed every night thinking about shelling! Save some Whelks for me!
We shell sistahs (& brothas) are very sensitive to gravitational pull.
We could not schedule our trip around the full moon and tides this year, but I have looked and scheduled accordingly in years past. Nothing like being on the beach during full moon. Great pics and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of those shells. Six more weeks and I’ll be there with you. Hope I run into Pam and Clark while on the beach — would be great to meet you. I check the blog daily for my shelling fix.
Aw… that moon at sunset is super! Tonight is supposed to be a super moon.
My lovely Sanibel! Seashell paradise! I like your collections! It is so many different kind of seashells. I almost sorted my collection after the seahell show 2011. I will show all my treasures very soon…
My lovely Sanibel! Seashell paradise! I like your collections! It is so many different kind of seashells. I almost sorted my collection after the seashell show 2011. I will show all my treasures very soon…
Yup, full moon and 2 low tides a day- that’s the way I plan my trips no matter which months I go to my beloved Sanibel Island. Even my coworkers say ” Full moon, huh?” when I put in for vacation time!! :D
Pam, can you explain to me your picture of the Lightning Whelk egg chain? Are the tubes full of eggs? Thanks!
Oooooo i just loved your blog todaty! I smiled all the way through thinking of all the wonderful people we meet out there. And what gorgeous shells! Fabulous job, Pam~you make the world a better place!
Never saw a live olive before. I thought maybe they covered their shell since it is so shiny.
I’ve found lots of dried up egg cases way up on the beach with the tiny whelks inside obviously dead, but I wondered if I found one in the surf, should I throw it out into the water?
Great shell photos. Love the little true tulip. Looks like there has been some great shelling. I have been working like crazy and have not had much time to do anything fun! Oh well…hoping to get some time off soon.
What delightful photos, Pam! I’m always in awe of the seashell finds that you and your friends discover. Hope you’re enjoying the full moon! :O)
Great scores, everyone!
Love those low tides and full moon. I must have missed the info about “candies” Why do you call them candies? I am getting so anxious to get back there – coming over in a month with 3 rookie shellers from Ohio. The shelling looks a little different from when we were threre freezing in December.
Penny- you are gonna love this weather right now… although the shelling is good now, it was excellent when you visited in Dec. Those little orange juvenile horse conchs look like candy corn with their little white tips… hence “candies!”. You’re gonna have fun teachin’ those rookies what shelling is all about!
Thanks for the meaning of “candies” – so cute. Can’t wait to get some candy corn and teach my rookies the “Sanibel Stoop”. Hope to see you in May.
That’s a brilliant idea, planning your trip around the tides. However, I must admit that the tide charts always seem to confuse me, particularly the timing for different beaches on the island.
I am drooling here in PA………I’ll be joining in the hunt the entire month of May.Getting very anxious after seeing the beauties you’ve been collecting.Great job all !!
Hello Pam and fellow Shellabrators,
Just caught up with your past 3 days entries….what a treat to be able to share in your treasure hunt …the nice people you meet, their beautiful finds, the scenery and the treasures you and Clark find and share by way of words and lovely pictures….couldn’t be better “meditation” for me! Love those minis and what a lucky girl that Chloe is to have found such a beautiful Junonia! Can’t wait for you to find yours, Pam.
Where are all the shells. We went to Donax st. and blind pass and west gulf Drive, very few shells. Last August was much better. Go ILLINI How about them Centralia Orphans
Thanks for the shoutout! :-) We love seeing the sifter in action!