I’ve been trying to remind myself not to ignore the BIVALVES in search of “CONES and JUNONES” (as my friend Rob calls them) so when I saw this BROAD PAPER COCKLE on Sanibel I smiled as big as the gulf. We just don’t have many in our collection so it’s nice to find something different.
Alicia (St Louis) and Lamont didn’t ignore the BIVALVES. They were enjoying every moment of collecting the riches on the beach of Sanibel’s east end with smiles from ear to ear.
Alicia was thrilled to collect SAILOR’S EARS, ARKS, DOSINIAS, YELLOW PRICKLY COCKLES and SCALLOPS.
The wrack line was loaded with all of the shells…
There were a few BABYS EARS mixed in there too…
Throughout the last couple of weeks I’ve run into shellers as crazy as I am about shelling. Rob was proudly wearing iLoveShelling Junonia and Lions Paw Club buttons he made. How cute! And so was his smile too.
Smiling Carol and Terry are showing off their shelling love too!
I saved the best for last with Janet and her huge smile showing off her first JUNONIA she found on her birthday in February. Congrats to you Janet!
I’m missing my island…can’t wait to get back and do some serious shelling…
Me too……I want to be there now!!!!!
DITTO!
It was great shelling early this morning between beach access #3 & #4 on West Gulf. I found lots of fighting conchs, tulips, welks, murex’s, augers, a sharks eye, a nutmeg and even an alphabet cone. I’m so happy to be here this week. I wish time would stand still. :)
Great to see the shells…after Dexter, Michigan’s tornado and all the damages, nice to see “happiness” of the beach and shelling….(Karen M and I are so lucky..we both live on opposite sides of our home town now)…so sad for so many people..thanks for sharing the beach!
Thank you for your website! I love pouring over your updates and living vicariously through you! We have only been to Sanibel twice (we live in Michigan), but my daughter and I already have our plane tickets for the first week of December. We can’t wait to shell! I think we are going to have to make this an annual trip!
Finalizing plans for 3 weeks in October – can’t wait!
I love the buttons!! I know there are guys out there who seriously love shelling ( Clark and Donnie – hats off to you ) but I don’t have one in my life that loves it so I have to share vacation destinations and that makes me so sad. Looks like it will be fall before I will be back on the island again. This summer flying into Portland and doing the coast there. Any suggestions anyone?
Cannon Beach and all the little beach towns! Not many shells like Sanibel but beauty that only Oregon has. Check out Trip Advisor.com for best places on Oregon Coast. I’m from Washington State. My very first time to Sanibel was last month… I couldn’t believe the shells and can’t wait to go back! Have a wonderful trip to the Northwest!
Heidi – I hope you see this – I’m going to Seattle – can you recommend shelly beaches there?
Honestly there is no place like Sanibel for shelling. :) The beaches are much more rustic with rocks, few shells and driftwood. From the city, you could drive over to West Seattle and walk along the north side. We hunt shells.. only a couple types, on Hood Canal. The tide has a 10ft swing twice a day so when it’s up it’s really up. My favorite thing to do up there is look for sea glass on the Kitsap Penninsula or drive all the way over to the Pacific Coast (near Forks) to Rialto Beach for the gorgeous agate pebbles. For Seattle food info shoot me an email if you’re wanting some advise on that. I won’t steer you wrong. :) The eats are much better than the shells. heidik58@gmail.com
Nice paper cockle! I think it’s always exciting to find one of those!
Hi, Pam! Saw our picture holding my new I Love Shelling tee. Problem is, we’re not Skip and Vicki; we’re Carol and Terry! Whatever! thanks for posting! Carol
OOOPS! Where did I get Skip and Vicki from? haha Sorry honey! I’ve fixed it and your still as cute as ever.
Thanks for the miles of Sanibel Smiles, Pam…it’s looking extra beautiful there!! Of course, look what you have to work with!! Hope to return for the “real” thing soon ~ in the meantime virtual reality, ala Pam, will do!
I was lucky to be there when Janet found the junonia. She had a big smile then too Did Janet tell you she also found an alphabet cone on her birthday? During her birthday week she found a scotch bonnet.
Janet has skills…awesome finds.
I’m originally from South Eastern Florida and shells always make me smile.