We have finally gotten rain…..and rain….. and rain. We were so dry for so long but in the last few days, we’ve finally gotten some good rain for our yards and to cool things down. After a rain shower when I was a kid, I would always run to the front porch with my mom after the sun would peak out to look for rainbows. She’d shout “There’s got to be a rainbow somewhere! Let’s go see it!”.
So when the sun peaked out yesterday afternoon, I ran down to the beach to see if I could catch the rainbow. Yes, there it was! Ohhhh…wait! Don’t disappear! I caught just a smidge of it but it disappeared so quickly in the clouds.
Then the rain came again….. but I caught another rainbow. The rainbow colors of COQUINAS!
I love coquinas! Which beach were they on?
I was on the beach near Donax Rd beach access off Middle Gulf. Tons of those sweet coquinas!
I think you were at the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! WOW! Beautiful shells! ♥
LOVE that first photo…
Hi,
My name is Emma Jansson and I’m 11 years old. I’m going to South Carolina in August to move my sister into college. We are staying in a rental house right on Folly Beach. I am so excited because I have always loved shells. I know South Carolina is not the first place you think of when you think shells, but I researched and found that there are some interesting ones. I came upon this website looking for a better picture of Shark’s Eye Shell for my shelling guide. Basically, I made a guide of all the shells you could possibly find in Folly Beach, and plan to find them once there. Anyways, I am so inspired on by your shell collection and passion. I have always kind of wanted to grow up and become someone that gets to be nearby or in the ocean, a marine bioligist perhaps. Now, I definetely NEED to be by the ocean. I have always loved tide pools and the life in them, but I never knew how much joy a person could get from the remnants of a live creature( its shell). Thank you so much for opening my eyes to how awesome shelling could be! I am so excited for SC I might just explode!
Thank You!
Emma
Oh Emma, After reading your note, I’m convinced you are a Shelling Sister and pretty sure you will live near the sea in your future. I am wishing you lots of luck finding all of the shells on your guide that you made and especially finding your Shark’s Eye. Always remember that half the fun is the treasure hunt itself and the other half is enjoying what you find. Happy Shelling to you and your family! Oh, and If you are on facebook, post your shell finds from Folly Beach- Best of Wishes!
Note to Emma, I live in Charleston and go to Folly Beach ALOT. Best place for shells are at the the state park or the lighthouse. I prefer the lighthouse. DO NOT SWIM there and do not go alone. Look for Sharks eyes, olives and babies ears.
Low tide is best.
Have fun!
Love your site. Had my first trip to Sanibel this May. LOVED it. I have to go back Found a beautiful Scotch Bonnet, Angel Wing etc etc etc. !!!! Speaking or rainbows see my picture on face book.
Dear Sally Taylor,
Thank you so much for the tips, I am taking all the helpful information I can get!
Pam,
I did some research and I figured out that the first night I stay at Folly Beach…its going to be a new moon! I am so excited because thats a really good time to look for shells, right? Also, I found out from my parents that I went to Sanibel…when I was four. I actually brought some shells back, but they were all broken…My lucky sister was at a good age for going shelling (11) so she got lots of cool ones, but compared to your collection hers looks like nothing:)
Hi again,
Unfortunately, I am not allowed to have a facebook, and right now don’t want one because I think I should just go with the flow, but I will make sure that my mom, Teresa Jansson , will post lots of pictures my treasures! ( With your website, I’ll make sure to try and identify them also!)
Tomorrow i leave for Clearwater Beach and will be there for three week and then down in the Ft. Meyers area for three days ….Captiva! and then home. Where is the best place to shell in or near Clearwater Beach?
I’ve heard so many good things about Honeymoon Beach (see http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/08/15/15-inch-horse-conch-and-cabrits-murex/) and also Shell Island…. and Fort DeSoto beach.
Pam, thank you so much for your amazing posts… always sharing a little ocean joy with us! I get hundreds of emails, but I always scan for your posts first! Emma, loved your post and love for the sea and shelling. Am so excited for you and can’t wait to hear about your future endeavors on your trip! Like Pam said, half the joy is in the search, so be patient…. a friend of mine took me down to the sea the other day for the first time in a long time. She is a real friend, as she wasn’t mad that I didn’t sit and chat with her on the beach blanket, but immediately rolled up my capris and slowly made my way down the almost shellless , suddenly eroding beach… I was like a child with delight. I found my first button shell…along with a few other small things for my shell vase… now Pam, stop laughing… that’s a big deal for me… not only that I found it, but that, thanks to you, I knew what it was!
Cathy B- I’m laughing WITH you not at you! I love button shells – you know how much I love the minis- and to know that I helped you identify it? That what makes me so very happy. Thanks for your story!
Hi Pam!
I absolutely love your blog and look forward to reading about all of your adventures and the treasures from the sea that you find on each one!
We are driving down from New Jersey, and will be arriving in Sanibel this Saturday, and I cannot wait to get shelling!
We are staying at blind pass condos for 2 weeks and I hope that I will get a chance to say hello and hopefully purchase a few shirts and hats in person!
Regards,
Lisa Marie
Lisa Marie
please help me. We found a shell and can not identify it. If I send a picture can you help me identify it? it is a mini shell. thanks
Hi happy, If the shell was found around Southwest Florida, did you try looking on the Seashell Identifiaction page at http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/seashell-identification/. Are you on facebook? If so, please you can also send the picture to https://www.facebook.com/iLoveShelling and if I can’t identify it, maybe someone can. If you still can’t identify it, just let me know. Hope this helps!!
thanks! my son uploaded the picture to your facebook wall. I do not know much about facebook. Your pictures are gorgeous. I hope you can tell me about my shell haha.
As always beautiful photos. Just when I get back from Sanibel & I feel I’ve got the Sanibel itch gone for a month or so I’ll check out your blog or my kids will tell me about a new post & then our next trip goes into planning. Someone once told me always have your camera ready.. That has helped us when there is a beautiful rainbow that comes out of nowhere,dolphins that just show up..just about anything we see beautiful on the island.. always be ready for that perfect shot which you seem to find often :):)
Thank you so much.
Hey Pam,
You must do a lot of walking/wading as you shell the beaches. Is there a particular type of shoe that you and Clark have found to be the best option? Or do you go barefoot? Many years and many cut feet later, I am looking for a solution! Thanks.
Both Clark and I wear croc flip flops unless it is really sandy tuen we will go barefoot. If the shelling is crazy we’ll wear wTer socks. I hate for my feet to get cut so we try to protect them