After hearing there was a surf advisory with high SW winds yesterday, I couldn’t wait to see the beach filled with seashells and cool Beach Bling.
Shawn from Kansas was in perfect Sanibel Stoop position so I figured he had already found some goodies…
He found a nice mix of shells. I looove that LACE MUREX with the link top…
After talking to him, we realized that I had met his mom a few weeks ago, She’s Shelling Sistah Karen from that special day “When Shelling Worlds Collide“. Hi Karen! Now I met your son Shawn!
Massachusetts girls Kristin, Chloe and Haley were having a blast finding PAPER FIGS, SEA URCHINS and STARFISH. Most of the STARFISH were alive so they went back to the water but there were a few dried in the high wrack line. A souvenir!
I didn’t see many shells on the pier side of the Sanibel lighthouse but there was plenty of SARGASSUM. This is a type of seaweed provides a rich environment for marine animals like SEA TURTLES.
More PAPER FIG EGG CASINGS…
Low and behold, I found a BABY’S EAR turned upside down in the bling…
And just to get my heart racing, half way buried in the sand I saw the ribs of a LION’S PAW. I reached down to dig it out … and came up with a broken piece. That’s ok! Where there’s a broken piece today, there may be a whole piece tomorrow.
We’ve had so many beautiful calm days for weeks and weeks. This is a wonderful thing for most people, right? But for us shellers, give us some messy weather! This wind was a start but maybe just 2 days back to back of high west winds… then it can go back to perfectly gorgeous island weather. Am I being too selfish?
PS- The DOLPHINS and PELICANS were playing this morning too!
I’m envious! My shelling adventures are confined to the weekends! Of course, I am not complaining, it is absolutely wonderful to be on the coast, and have the ability to go to the beach so easily.
Since I am on the northeast coast of Florida, I don’t suppose that the high winds that we just had really affected the availability of shells up here. Would be nice to improve. It’s been pretty slim pickings lately, especially when it comes to variety. If people are looking for cockles and arks, now seems to be the time. For anything else? Well….. Just keep waiting!
oh, you are not being selfish at all, perhaps a little shellfish…
thanks so much for keeping up with your blog. i’m in freeeeezing, grey zürich. seeing your photos helps me escape to paradise for a little while.
I just came in after spending a couple of hours sitting outside in the sun, cleaning the shells I brought home last week. It’s only about 45 degrees, but the shells help. (Actually, I’m still waiting for delivery of a box that I mailed home! Totally addicted!)
Last photo with the pelican and dolphin is my favorite! As always this was a great post Pam!!
We fly into Ft. Myers Friday night. We’ll spend a week in Sanibel during the stoop and Shellabrating. If you could plan the weather for a fine haul of shells I’d thank you very much! My goal is to come home with a nutmeg or two, an angel wing and a king’s crown conch (but realistically I’ll be happy with anything).
Hope our paths will cross….
Linda,
I arrive on saturday! weather report says windy weather on friday and saturday so maybe we will have good shelling on sunday! we will arrive just in time! maybe we will see each other…Ill be decked out with my ILOVESHELLING gear combing the beaches every morning!
Have a great time Linda and thanx Pam…maybe I will see you too…and Clark!!! :)
We also arrive on Saturday. We are also from Michigan. Hope to see you all on the beach. We will be staying up near the lighthouse.
We’re staying at Sundial Condos, Perwinkle address. I think it is near mid island, I hope a easy walk to the beach. But I hope to visit several beaches– Blind Pass, Lighthouse (I want to find a wentletrap), maybe even Cayo Costa (if I can convince my husband to go on a little boat– the man actually wore a life vest on the ferry to Mackinaw Island).
Hey Linda and Lee! We’re from Mi also, but not headed down for while yet.
Linda – tell your husband that the boat ride from Captiva is very smooth, and Pine Sound is shallow, around 4 ft deep. Nothing like going across the mackinaw strait. It’s really pleasant.
Also, Sundial is on the beach, depends on the building if you’re gulf front or not. If you rented from a rental company, they probably have the Periwinkle address. One of my favorite beaches for shelling is Sundials. Good Luck!
Nice nutmeg! Beautiful sunrise!
I too, love the nutmeg. And the sunrise with the lighthouse photo – and the baby’s ear…. that one wasn’t on my radar so I just looked it up and read that their foot spreads ten times their shell size, and Baby’s Ears can’t retract their foot.
Has anyone ever heard of someone finding an intact Lion’s Paw on the beach? Even one half still intact? I know that they are deep water residents, but then so are Junoias. If so, a new one has been added to my shellbucket list!
They are so cool. Did you see the live babys ear on this post? http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2010/09/10/live-babys-ear-seashell-trail-video/
Wow, I missed that post. Now I wonder if I’ve seen live ones and maybe thought that they were pieces of dead fish or something. :) Cool stuff, thanks Pam!
I must compel myself to go down to the lighthouse at dawn so maybe I can run into you some morning. I’ll be there end of March to mid-April next visit. I used to be so disiplined about going out early, but the last few years I have my coffee and Sodukos before I go out for my morning search. Shame on me, the earlybirds get the worm(shells).
Hi Sanibelle, My grandson Matthew age 6 found a whole lion’s paw with a small piece missing in Jan along West Gulf Drive near Mitchell’s Sandcastles. He new immediately what it was and that it was an unusual find. Good Luck. Sue Bunkin
Wowwee, Sue. That’s awesome! Did he get his picture in the paper? I think I’d faint if it was me. I’m thrilled just hearing about it!
The first 2 pictures are my favorite!!
Oh YES! I’m so excited as well arriving from the midwest on Saturday for a week of stooping. I’ve been watching the weather and hope for good shelling on Sunday too. Can hardly wait!
OK- Brilliant idea…..you need to make a shirt that says “I’m Shellfish!”. Please make sure you have sizes for us plus-size models ;)
I’ll be there tomorrow – save some shells for me!!!
I’m here now until 3/10. I am disappointed in the shelling these last 2 days. I have been shelling on Sanibel for the past 4 winters and before that for the past 20 years off and on., What’s up right now? I sure am hoping that tomorrow these beaches are like the ones on Sanibel that i am used too!! (Today was better than yesterday at least!) I am staying on West Gulf, by the way.
Go to Tarpon Beach & walk towards Casa Ybel. You gotta a minus .05 low tide @ %;30 am. Get a flashlight & hit the beach at 4am. It will be fun :D
the low is at 5:30am
There is also a good sand bar in the vicinity of Rabbit Road if you are close to there.
am sooo missing Sanibel! is it time to post a pic so we can do some virtual shelling plz?
Pam, where are you hiding???? Haven”t seen you this year. I was shelling Mon Feb 20th.on my birthday at blind pass, had my I love shelling hat and shirt on and found an angels wing and 2 scoops later I found a Junonia!!!!!!!! What a great birthday present that was!!!!
Lucky birthday! I’m jealous. I went to Sanibel for my birthday weekend and I didn’t find a Junonia. However I did find one of my faves… a perfect darker colored Paper Fig. So I was almost as lucky as you. :)
Fun!!! Those PAPER FIG EGG CASINGS look like miniature versions of all the high rise condos up here along our PInellas County beaches. :)