I got a phone call yesterday from a friend asking “Where did all the shells go?”. The winds and seas have been calm the last few days so I haven’t seen many larger shells rolling up on the beach either. So, you know what that means….. Mini shelling at the Sanibel lighthouse beach!
I found all of these mini shells in one … well, I don’t know… maybe it was a 6 foot area. You’ll get to see it, I made a little video that I’ll show you at the end of this post. It’s kinda Part 2 of Wentletrap Trapping from September to show you a different area that you can find them.
I was in good company on the beach since Emma from Canada was right along side me collecting as many minis as she could for a seashell lamp shade project she’s been working on.
This is Emma too with her aunt Susi filling up her hat with WENTLETRAPS and little tiny WHELKS.
Clark was down the beach scooping in the surf. This handful of shells was from one scoop of his shelling backhoe. Not bad!
I can always find where Clark is on the beach….He leaves a little trail of shell piles behind him.
I met Nick and his mom Chris picking through Clark’s leftover shell piles. This is so funny… she told me ” Picking up Clark’s trash shells is a sheller’s equivalent to successful dumpster diving” . LOL
Tom and Bonnie (NY) were finding WENTLETRAPS but didn’t even know the name for them. Lucky, huh?
I took a photo of this mini version of the Sanibel Six late this afternoon. As I was writing this post I read a comment from June on The Sanibel Six Seashells and she suggested having the Mini Six with a WENTLETRAP, CANDY CORN, COQUINA and maybe a TUSK, DWARF OLIVE and a DRILL. Too cute, right?
Anyway, here’s the video and yes, I miss some shells in there. I go right by them!
i love the video!!! its like i am on a shelling hunt too!! thanks!
love the minis…..i always have but am still so enthralled with the video of the pygmy (mini :) ) octopus and her eggs….have watched it so many times and have to share it with any who will watch…so amazing!
Love your new Wentletrap video. You can tell someone all about how to find Wentletraps but nothing compares to having them watch the video. Most people do not fully realize just how small those shells are and how close you have to get to the sand to see them. Thanks for doing that.
Beautiful! The sound of the sea and the sight of the seashells, all very relaxing and enjoyable to watch. Thanks for sharing:)
What fun, it was like I was there shelling and looking for wentletraps.
Thanks Pam!
Lee
Ohhhh, so many shells we passed up before we became Shellers. I only wish I had known about your awesome blog before our trip. We walked all past those little shells, not realizing the bounty lying there. So, the NEXT trip to Sanibel, we’ll be more informed. Watch out!! ;)
I love the Sanibel Six idea, but I’d REALLY love the Sanibel Seven. How could the junonia be left out, the Island’s most famous? Let’s don’t kid ourselves, that elusive shell is everyone’s dream shell – those lovely brown spots we are constantly looking for (even if you’ve found one). Thanks for the continuing reports. You’re where my heart is.
I hear what you are saying…..it is everyone’s dream shell… and i can’t wait for my turn to find one! ;) I just came up with the Sanibel Six on a whim to identify the shells that are considered good finds but are pretty achievable finds for any given time on Sanibel and Captiva. They are shells that most beach combers have in their shell bags which they want to show off. I didn’t want to add the junonia in this category since it’s rare to see a junonia hanging out in someone’s shell bucket on most days. I just did another post that includes the junonia in the Elite Three. These arent formal identifications- it’s just fun and silly! I love the feedback!
Was down 2 weekends ago and gave up on finding the bigger shells so I resigned myself to the Wentletrap Hunt!! Trust me I wasn’t upset. I LOVE the hunt of the mini’s. I sometimes find this to be more rewarding than finding the larger shells. I was exactly where you filmed this video and like you I found many many wentletraps. I was very satisified. It was low tide and I parked myself at one point on the rock that shows up in front of the lighthouse and started to dig with my hands. Found a huge wentletrap measuring just under and inch and 1/2. LOVING IT!! The lighthouse has not failed me yet for the mini’s. Bubble shells were everywhere and I found a nice tusk also…I have started sharing some of my finds with the newbies on the beach and find alot of satisfation in seeing their excitement and desire to find the “gold”!!
Pure heaven- thanks for sharing Karla!
My question is how do you get all the gunk out of those tiny wentletraps. The pure white are so beautiful then you get the darker spot that you know is the gunk. yuk! Tell us your secrets please.
I put them in a bowl with water and a little bleach and let them sit for a day or so. When I rinse them, if there is still black gunk in there I swish it really hard in the water and let the faucet stream right into the opening (aperture). If that doesn’t work, I put it in a sunny area outside to let the sun take care of it and forget about it until another day.