It was a super weekend with a “super moon”, super sunrise, super shelling, super dolphins and super sunsets. I am still over the moon (heehee) after seeing that dolphin rushing towards me yesterday morning at sunrise so I’ve added that video again at the end of this post. Hope you don’t mind.
The full moon was setting over Sanibel leaving a low tide and live shells exposed on the beach. I always love to see live shells at low tide and especially when they are healthy and happy eating a scrumptious meal (sorry Mr Fighting Conch).
I was so amazed at how black this WHELK was devouring the other shell . It looked like a tar blob oozing out of his shell. Okay, let me make sure you know….this is not tar…this is a MOLLUSK!
Look how cute this live PEAR WHELK is! He’s doing a great job of making his way to deeper water.
Diana got out on the beach at 5:30 with a flashlight to take advantage of the full moon low tide yesterday morning. Notice the moon setting behind her right next to her ear…. I think she is listening to what the moon has to say. She found lots of FIGHTING CONCHS, a gorgeous double SUNRAY VENUS, BANDED TULIPS and lots of other shells.
Right after I took this picture and admired the moon again, I turned around to ogle at the sunrise view again and that’s when we both saw the dolphin splashing in what looked like golden water. I lost track of exactly where I was since I followed them along the beach a little ways but it was somewhere between Holiday Inn and Sundial.
It’s so much fun to see Dolphin so close to the beach whether they are feeding or playing. They corral the little fish up to the beach so they can easily pick out the ones that want to enjoy for breakfast. I happen to think they have a great time putting on a show as well.
Since there were two low tides yesterday, I went back to the beach in the evening….
Todd (PA) was searching for shells in the low tide surf while his girlfriend Courtney was on the beach finding goodies.
She found a beautifully colored PEAR WHELK, CANDY (JUVENILE HORSE CONCH), TURKEY WING, LIGHTNING WHELK, NUTMEG, BANDED TULIP and a little tiny OLIVE.
So along with all of the other super-ness of the weekend, you can see I met some super shellers.
OMG! The colors in the photo of Todd are AMAZING!!!!! Looks surreal…very beautiful, sigh. And the photo of the Whelk eating the Conch is really also quite striking. Black, huh, who knew? Also it’s cool to see the operculum just perched up on top. Learn something/see something new everyday on the beach! Love it.
Beautiful pictures … super moon, dolphin, shells … I love it all!
i love the picture of the whelk eating the conch!
AWESOME video Pam!! I have heard about the way the dolphins will corral the fish and speed up towards shore but I had yet to see it happen…thank you, that was so cool and you caught it on video!! Awesome.
Just found your blog…love it! We are a shell seeking family. We usually go down to Sanibel once a year and had an awesome shelling day one time during a full moon. My son now wants to schedule our next trip during a full moon! Just got back from St. Pete Beach and found some conchs and lots of awesome mini shells. We live in Ormond Beach there are not many shells here but we do find sea beans (seeds from other countries) and I once found a paper naultilus (not sure how that even survived our surf). Thanks for sharing! I will be bookmarking your blog. There is just something about the beach and ocean…..
Amazing photos! I guess the place to be with a super moon is a super island.
The first thing I thought when the news mentioned the super moon was—–‘Sanibel-extra low tide, and I’m missing it.’ Thanks for the great pictures, they help, a little.
Wow! Wonderful video! I got to see the dolphins feeding like that at the 10 spot one day and it is an awesome sight! Great blog today~you never fail to entertain and teach!
That video is amazing! Love it.
Oh my, Pam!! Your pictures are so amazing! I think several should be framed. The turquoise water with Todd is striking. I also loved the lovely colors that came out in the picture of the dolphin at sunrise. May I ask a (stupid) question? You’ve taught me so much, just in the last few months I’ve been following your blog. How could you tell the Lighting welk was eating the conch and not the other way around? I’m not questioning you in any way, I’m just wanting to learn more. :)
I wish I could LIVE on Sanibel, but oh… the home prices are out of this world! Maybe when I win the lottery?
More amazing photos!! I am so glad that you had a super weekend! :) Just LOVE that video Pam!!!!
FANTASTIC! I am even more stoked about visiting Fort Myers Beach and area in 2 weeks. Sanibel sunrise is going to be an absolute must for me! Thank you so much for sharing your pics and video!!
Beautiful pictures…love all of the colors!!
Thanks for the incredible updates and the superb photos.
I had a wonderful time at Captiva last week–but had to leave right before the full moon :-(
Thanks Pam.
When I went shelling early morning at low tide there were lots of live shells. The olives had paths showing were they had moved. Most were squiggly lines, but one was a perfect circle. My dad and I think that the olives thought they were going to the ocean.
Tuesday morning shelling at Donax was very good. Evening shelling mediocre. Why all the stingrays in the water, so close to shore
Having a blast here on Sanibel! Thanks to your blog I am able to better understand what I am looking for. Will send a photo of the beautiful wentletrap I found!
Love your site- I’ve become a shell addict! I’ve read and enjoyed most of the back ‘issues’- learned so much. We usually take a winter vacation to Florida where I indulge in as much shelling as possible. Been to Sanibel twice, Ft Myer Beach and Indian Shores.
Would welcome other suggestions of where to go. (I know Sanibel is far and above the best but I have to compromise with the family) Maybe you could add this to the site?
OMG, eating that poor conch…