After 25 mph winds swirling from north, south, east and west this weekend, the Gulf of Mexico was rockin’, rollin’ and doing the twist to help churn up those seashells. Since there was no clear wind direction, yesterday late afternoon we ran down to Blind Pass Sanibel at low tide (-0.4) to check out the sand bar. In just a short time, Super Sheller Clark scooped up this huge MOON SNAIL, aka the SHARK’S EYE , with his shelling backhoe. You can’t really tell how big it is in the photo above so this’ll give you an idea of how big it is…
I thought this was THE find of the day but Clark told me had another one that was his favorite of the day by far….an ALTERNATE TELLIN with both sides still attached.
I never would have thought he would choose a TELLIN as his favorite over a that SHARK’S EYE but our tastes change and grow for finding the unusual. I still haven’t had a chance to clean this one up but you can really see the colors by looking at this side…(oh, and take a look at how far out we were on the sand bar from the beach)
inside alternate tellin double
We found lots of FIGHTING CONCHS that we left on the beach for others to find.
I did keep one. This juvenile FIGHTING CONCH has the prettiest markings, I just had to put it in my pocket.
I met Shelling Sister Moira! She always loves the updates of Blind Pass so now she got to see it for herself…..  with her hubby Marty. She has on her brand new iLoveShelling Tank Top! Fresh off the press!
She found this live OLIVE in her net and quickly dug a little spot in the sand to put him back.
There are quite few ways to collect shells. Like Clark, Moira and Marty like the scoops but Theresa prefers to lounge in the water and let the shells come to her in the tidal current. Then stack ’em up!
I saw Faye and Penny (May 12 post) finding more goodies like this double SPINY JEWEL BOX.
As I walked up to the beach to gather my things, I saw this dried out STARFISH (SEA STAR) on the high tide line.
Since I was occupied with this STARFISH, Clark decided to check under the Blind Pass bridge to see if anything had washed up there. I heard him yell to me. I picked up the pace to see what he had found. Oh Lawd! A huge shell pile!
Aha! This is where they all were. There was a long deep line of shells on the bay side of the bridge with the shells pushed back into the bushes. A beautiful TRUE TULIP!
Cindy (MD) and Patty (VA) had already found the gold mine and had planted themselves right smack in the middle of this shell heaven.
In just a few minutes we found great shells and Patty found a KINGS CROWN, 2 FLATS and a FLORIDA CONE!!!
I found a KINGS CROWN too!
And an APPLE MUREX…
Okay, I’ll fess up. We couldn’t stay any longer because… okay….. I’m a huge “Survivor” fan and last night was the finale. Clark and I have been addicted since the very first show. Maybe because they are surviving on an island? I don’t know.. I just looove it and I would have hated it if the tivo didn’t record it. Yay Rob!!!
Shelling Sisters with our matching tanks. Check out our new caps too (one has lights!) at SHOP.
Click the picture for more info!
ditto on the survivor and rob comment!!
4 more days!!! cant wait!!
I will be on Sanibel in 8 days!! Save some shells for me!
ok u all make me s%$#&*^ ok just jealous love all kiss kiss enloy I will see u u oct I hope!
I just relocated to Florida and let me tell you – I have caught the shelling bug! I so appreciate your posts and maybe will bump into you some day! I’m up a little further: Clearwater-ish. Happy Shelling!
Hey Danielle… although not quite as abundant as Sanibel/Captiva… you can find some really great shells here in our area too – it just takes longer to find them. I’ve found 2 HORSE CONCH minis here… I’ve found 3 ALPHABET CONES here… I’ve found many a BABY’S EAR here… and even a ZIG ZAG FLAT SCALLOP. I’m still working on finding a JUNONIA but have only picked up one fragment so far.
I think the most exotic I have found were on Honeymoon Island. I’m just loving this exploration stage!
Ft Desoto State Park about 1,000 yards north of the fort is really good after some wind. Honeymoon is the best if you park at the northernmost part of the parking lot & walk to the most northern tip. Awesome shelling! Fred Howard Park’s causeway & beach has it’s moments. Sand Key about halfway between the bridges if you can find a legal parking spot is good especially after a storm. North Clearwater Beach as you walk towards Caledesi can be fabulous but here again – parking? I used to park in front of the big apartments before Mandalay heads into the Carlouel neighborhood. I grew up on those beaches & they are some of the best shelling in Florida. It’s all about the wind, moon, & tides.
Yep… I’ve found most of my good shells at either Sand Key or on Shell Key or on Pass-a-Grille at the very southernmost tip. I park on Sand Key on the intercoastal side of the 3 20-story pink deco buildings (first tall buildings from Bellair beach)… there’s a park there with free parking. Pass-a-Grille is paid parking lot … but isn’t gonna kill your change purse for an hour or two. Shell Key, I will kayak to and the best shelling is at the south end of the island. I don’t get up to Honeymoon Island as much a I’d like to but when I do… it is very good shelling on the north end. I haven’t been out to Caladesi Island in ages but really need to soon. I bet it is great out there.
I think my most favs are the Florida Fighting Conchs. I was amazed by your finds and the one you chose to keep. You are so generous to leave your finds behind for someone else. I guess that’s a benefit to living on the island. Counting down from 145 days now………..
I thought I was the only one that loves Florida Fighting Conchs, I guess I’m not the only crazy one. Who am I kidding, I love all of the shells. We’ll be there Oct. 31st, that has to be close when you’ll be there maybe we’ll cross paths.
Well in your ILS t-shirt & that cart you are easy to spot :) I got a WonderWheeler for Xmas. I love that thing. As I roll onto to the beach all eyes turn to stare in envy.
Oh yeah – I’m all over the new Tank Tops!!!!
Love the new tank top!! How do the sizes run? Do they fit true to size?
Already have the t-shirt, cap and bag, now I must have the tank!!!
I’ve never found a double spiny jewel box. Mine is out there waiting! Love the tank!
ohh so pretty- that juvenile fighting conch is so cool! I would ahve kept it too! ;)
WOW! I want that sharks eye!!! Only 4 days to go – save some for me. I like the new tanks too. Hmmmm…. decisions, decisions….. Glad to see a shot of my friend Moira – I know she’s having a FAB time!!!!
Pam, it’s starting to get scary, something else we have in common, Survivor. I just love Rob and Amber. Why did they put him on the Villain team the Survivor before, with that smile he can’t be a villain.
It looks like Blind Pass is getting interesting again, that’s the ony place I’ve found King’s Crown. Always enjoy your blog with your beautiful pictures.
Like, Like, Like…wishing I was there!
OMG the cap with the light built in….what a hoot!!! Great one Lady!!!
The tank top “add to cart” button is fixed! Thank you for letting me know. The tank runs pretty much true to size. It’s a little boxier than the v-tee so it gives a little more room and it’s light weight for summer. Great for over your suit or on any summer day with a pair of shorts and of course…. flip flops. i Love Summer!
Love the ball cap with the lights in it… may have to get that!!! :)
When the lots are full at Blind Pass wasn’t there another close place to park for about $5.00 a day? Maybe a marina?
McCarthy’s Marina is a pretty long way from Blind Pass to park but yes, they have parking….. some times. High season in March and April are really the only times that BP parking is a problem. Right now- No Problem, mon.
Where can we try on and purchase Shelling tops and caps on Sanibel? We’ll be there week of June 12th! And will the lighted caps affect the turtle population? Thanks!
Just shoot me off a note when you get here, Carolyn and we’ll catch up so you can get your new shirt. Remember, no lights on the beach at night through September for turtle season. They come in handy for so much more than just night shelling but it sure will be fun in October!
I’ve been addicted to Survivor since the first show,too! I always wonder if they find any great shells on those beaches! Rob was my fav, too; he really knows how to work a crowd, doesn’t he!
I’m a huge Survivor fan, too, and I was rooting for Boston Rob all the way. So glad he won! And I am I always drawn to the beach locations, too. Next Survivor will be in the South Pacific. Wonder what kind of shells they have there?? Sometimes, Pam, I wish you could just lay on your stomach in the middle of all those shells and scoop them into a big Hefty bag for me and ship ’em to Apopka. Then I’d thrown them on the floor and lay in the middle of them myself! Just kidding. I’d use them in my crafts. :)
I can’t thank yall enough for all of your support for the new merchandise!!! Yall are helping to keep the lights on at iLoveShelling.com!
PS- Judie, CShells, Cindy and Marcia…. I just KNEW some of my sistahs were as crazy about Survivor as I am. AND Boston Rob! I could probably talk as much about Rob and Amber and every season as much as shelling. LOL
Ok – I have to get my butt over there. I am so ready to go shelling. I have not been shelling since I last saw you in Sanibel. Trying to come in June! I love the true tulip. So pretty and precious.
I was just looking at a pic of the 4 inch true tulip you found on the 10 spot back in November. Somebody get this hard working woman a beach chair, a glass of wine, & a sunset quick!
Again…my jaw is dropped by looking at these photos ~ just fabulous. Must share with our readers today. Happy Shelling!!
Argh, I love kings crowns!
LOVE the tanks!!!!