It sure was a roller coaster weekend… literally. Â Hurricane Irene was rolling along the coast wreaking havoc and causing lots of trouble. My family and friends in Virginia Beach are fine (some with no power still, but fine) and I hope you and yours that were in Irene’s path are okay as well. I spent most of my time glued to the weather channel wrenching my hands so I took a 45 minute drive to Bonita Springs on Saturday to meet my Shelling Sistas Carla and Kelly at Barefoot Beach for some well needed shelling time. The welcome wagon was there to greet us in the form of a GOPHER TORTOISE…
He was even so friendly to hang out with Kelly for a bit. How cute are they!
The tide was pretty high when we started our treasure hunt but there’s always something fun to find on the beach.
Carla spotted a couple of SHARK’S TEETH and fossil piece of a mouth plate to a PUFFER FISH….
I only found one little SHARK’S TOOTH but was happy to find any!
Carla came across this PEN SHELL with such a colorful EGG CASING attached to it. It looks like a beautiful flower blossom!
I am a little confused which egg sacs these are because of the color but I think this maybe a TRUE TULIP EGG CASE that just was formed. Take a look and see what you think. I’d love a positive I.D. so if you can help, please help us learn what it is. Here’s a closer look at this beauty….
Carla walks this beach probably as much as I walk the Sanibel beaches so she has a keen eye to find the goodies like the SHARK’S TEETH, EGG CASES and this perfect empty LACE MUREX …
Did you notice her necklace? Yes! She found that big honkin tooth and made a necklace out of it like she did for the oh-so-cool piece of sea glass she gave me. I love it Carla!
Kelly was soaking in the beauty of the day every second….
I was thrilled when she brought seashells she found on a trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico (aka- Rocky Point) to share. Thank you Kelly! Now remember, these are shells from Mexico NOT Florida…
Seashells from Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco, Mexico)
I didn’t get a picture of all her treasures our day on Barefoot so she sent a photo of her shells from the day…
I know these don’t look like great shells to most, but these were my favorite finds on Saturday- CORAL, WORMIE, SHARKS TOOTH, a piece of a LION’S PAW (!), a tiny OLIVE with beautiful color and pattern and a SEA PEARL.
Since I was so distracted by Hurricane Irene, I didn’t get to show you another shelling sista I met last week on the beach in Sanibel. It was so nice to meet you, Desiree! I love your hat!
She said she bought a cheapy hat and embellished it using hot glue with shells she found on Sanibel. She said it was a snap to make since the ribbon was already there to glue the shells to. It’s the simple things that make life fun, isn’t it?
I have some pictures of Blind Pass from yesterday evening at low tide that I won’t probably get to post until tomorrow but it’s just an FYI…. there are shells there. You have to look in the water right at the edge of the small drop off. Good luck! In the mean time, enjoy a few more pics of Barefoot Beach…
We have big snapping turtles up here. If you tried to touch one like that, you’d be kissing your fingers good-bye! Don’t these gopher tortorises bite?
There are so many other beaches close to Sanibel, but I’m always reluctant to leave the island to explore while we are there. I can’t bring myself to give up a day on the island for much of anything – except a boat excursion with Capt. Brian!! 40 days and counting….. .. . .. .
I’m like you Sheri – I dont want to cross back over the causeway until it’s time to head to the airport!
I’d like to do a shelling excursion to Cayo Costa this year – sounds like you recommend Capt Brian. Does he have scheduled departures or is he more of a private charter operator?
I think we will be there the same time – we arrive midday on the 9th.
I haven’t been out with Capt Brian before, but he comes highly recommended by friends on the island. I have already emailed him and arranged for our trip, though we don’t have an exact day yet. Waiting to touch base with him and look at the tides. I believe he works totally by private charter.
Here’s his site –
http://www.captainbrianonthewater.blogspot.com/
We arrive the afternoon of the 8th. Where will you be staying?
we will be staying at Ocean’s Reach. They are very great about letting you check-in as needed and not the Sat-Sat required by some. I wanted to stay Sat to the following Sunday but my brother wanted it Sun to Sat so that is what we are doing. It will be he and I and his 3 year daughter who I love dearly.
where will you be?
Sherri – I highly recommend Brian! We went shelling with him this past May. He is so knowledgeable about the area, and FUN, too! He will take you to shelling sites that you would not be able to get to on your own. When you get to Ocean’s Reach, pls say ‘hi’ to Dru from me! She is awesome, too!! Have fun and post pics!!
Thanks for your information. We are very excited to hit Cayo Costa and the outer islands again this year. I’m hoping my laptop will cooperate and I will be able to post pics during our trip.
Maybe the two fo you could go together and split the cost. I’ve heard that he’s done that before for people that follow Pam’s site. Just a thought…..
That would be good – I dont know if my brother is all that interested in going…..something to keep in mind!
What a friendly turtle! I love the shark teeth you found, and that shell with the egg sacs! I have never seen anything like that before – so neat! I would love to visit Florida sometime and see some of the shells there. And i never went shelling on VA Beach, only in the OBX, but I bet Irene brought a lot of shells to shore! I was hoping I could make it down this week but had to postpone my vacation again because of the inlets Irene created. Glad to hear your family is okay… I heard that area was hit pretty hard!
Another awesome adventure! So happy that you weathered the weekend well.
If you get a chance this week come over and enter to win a beach glass necklace :O)
Have a lovely week,
Marie
Oh I absolutely luuurrrve Barefoot Beach! One of my favorite shellin’ beaches!
Looks like you had a nice time! I enjoyed seeing the Mexican shells…similar yet different to our Florida shells. I’m so glad to hear that your family is ok. The news footage of VA Beach looked pretty bad. Can’t wait to see your next post!
Is there places to buy Sea Shell Sifters on Sanibel or Fort Myers. We will be leaving Friday from Bossier City, La
Is there places on Sanibel or even Fort Myers to buy any Sea Shell Sifters. Were leaving this Friday Sept. 2 & hope to be in Sanibel by Tues. I don’t think if I ordered them now, we would get them by the time we leave. Thanks, Melissa
I think the shell shop Sanibel Seashell Industries on Periwinkle and Fitzhugh has the sifters and the shop where Jerry’s is has them too…..I think.
I love all of your interesting posts and am especially glad your family is safe. I too appreciate looking at the Mexican shells very similar to ours.
I shelled here in Sarasota yesterday at low tide and again this morning. I think I finally have the tides down. I found a gorgeous lace murex and the most incredible Olive I have found in all my years. The shelling here is good, but Sanibel and Captiva is incredible! Thank to your site Pam I now know the names of many of them.
Look forward to tomorrow’s post.
Pam , what is a Sea Pearl ? It looks just like a seed that was in a pod on a vine in back of the Blue Dolphin . One of the” REGULARS ” at the Dolphin pointed it out to me . He said as a kid they called them ” Burn Beans ” . Why ? He said if you take the seed , rub it real fast on concrete , then put it on your skin it burns the dickens outta you … LOL !!! Burn Bean !!!
I’ve got a post that explains what sea pearls or sea beans are- go to http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/11/20/sanibel-sea-beans/
make sure you click on the links (highlighted and bolded words in my post) because that will give you more info. I think I’ve heard them called burn beans too- LOL I think it’s the same bean.
Hi Pam. I’m also interested in the sea pearl. I Googled it, but only found restaurants called ‘Sea Pearl’. Nice name, but not what I’m looking for.
Also, your camera takes such great close-ups and video. Can you tell us what camera you use? Mine is dying a slow death and it’s time to get something new.
Thanks!
Donna
Donna, its a panasonic lumix that i got a costco.
Just back from my annual birthday trip to Captiva! Hubby and I have been for the last 5 years and this year was the BEST by far. Unbeliveable finds at Blind Pass, but I had to hold on for dear life with the punishing winds. Lots of FL fighting conch and welks. Found my first alphabet cone and lace murex. We took a respite from the wind and discovered calm seas at Algiers Beach. Best part of all was hubby said, “we should try and go 2 times a year.” Go figure, I guess living at the beach in Jacksonville Beach, FL isn’t enough for him. LOL
The Mexican shells were a great touch!! I especially liked the long spiral one, thought it was very pretty! Last time I was in Mexico (Cancun) I did not find ANY shells, it was very sad. So I was really excited to see these!
And we loves turtles and tort.’s so it really made my day! Lisa was right about snapping turtles! Wooweee! Everytime I see a turtle in the road I stop to move it so no one squishes him…every once in a while it’s a snapper and not a box turtle… so I throw something over him and will nudge them across the road with my foot… there’s no picking them up!
You have the most fun! Great pics, and a great story!