In between afternoon rains and thunderstorms, we have been thrilled with the dramatic skies that make for such extraordinary backdrops for our fabulous finds. When we get chased off the beach from hearing claps of thunder, we move on to another part of the island to see what we can find. Such a pretty ROUGH SCALLOP!
With the backdrop of brighter clouds, I was thrilled to run across this little pocket of shells with an empty FIGHTING CONCH and a gorgeous keeper LIGHTNING WHELK at Bowman’s Beach.
Kathy and John (Texas) must have run into a few nice pockets of shells since they had quite a few nice keepers.
Kathy found one of my faves… that orange CHESTNUT TURBAN. Nice finds yall!
Every time I looked up from shelling, the sky was different. From sunny skies to dark scary clouds…. then a rainbow! There was only a tiny piece showing so I’m happy I didn’t miss it!
But the most dramatic might have been saved for sunset when blue skies push their way back in the picture to show off for one more day.
Is that a fighting conch in the first pic? It looks really pointy.
Yes but you are right… it’s really “pointy”!;) There were lots of live adult fighting conchs but this cute little pointy guy was sitting pretty as a picture with nobody home.
Wow – can not wait to get there. Thanks for sharing – I get to spend 1 glorious month on Sanibel – did I say excited???? A month from Tuesday.
Pam, I have lived here on the island for 30 years and you have introduced me to an amazing world on the beach with shells and wildlife I never knew existed. Your exuberance for what you offer us is priceless. Plus your freckles remind me of a “”Mallory”shell. Do I have the name right? Are they from this area?
I am curious, what is a “Mallory” shell Loretta; what does it look like other than being freckled?
Love the pictures! I’ve been to Florida several times on vacations but haven’t made it yet to Sanibel. I know I NEED to as the shelling there looks totally amazing!!! I’ve collected a lot of shells over the years but if I ever make it to Sanibel, that will be my dream shelling trip!!!
Beautiful. I love it when you feature the sea and sky in your photos. You have such an amazing eye. Guess its the artist in you!
OMG! Cindy, you get to stay a whole month. I am super jealous!! You are a lucky girl!
Great images Pam! That sunset picture is amazingly beautiful when you blow it up a bit; it doesn’t look real it is so gorgeous. :)
The very dark red rough scallop is beautiful and unusual, especially against that dramatic sky!
Your pix are so gorgeous…going out now to tell the hubby it’s time to go back to Sanibel for shells. We scoop up a 5 gallon bucket and then come back and divide them into groups. Especially love the kitten’s paws and broken coral and whelk pieces…stuff that most people don’t want! So glad I found your site!!
I am homesick for our beautiful skies & beaches…no where else do I see it like that anywhere we have vacationed or lived The Best !! Countdown for Sanibel begins soon for my return ~
Miss everyone and everything !!!
Hi Pam, i came across your website and found it interesting and exciting. I would love to surprise my daughter with a day of shelling. i am currently in Fort Lauderdale and will be in the area for a few more days. What or which beach would you recommend for a productive morning of shelling. It is a 2 hour trip and any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help and what a great website.
Vince, I wish I could give you one place that had a huge shell pile right now. But if there is one I don’t know about it. Every day the beach changes. Tomorrow a huge shell pile could show up. Blind Pass has been steady at delivering shells lately and like I posted here, there are pockets of shell strung all along the beaches on Sanibel. It’s a treasure hunt so you have to keep lookin if you don’t see shells when you first get tithe beach. That’s what makes it fun! Please look at my shelling tips in the link. Happy shelling to You and your lucky daughter! http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/best-seashell-shelling-tips/
Beautful pictures, as always…. thank you :)
Pam, those are lovely pictures. You have no idea how much I need to see Sanibel right now. Thank you for bringing them to me.
xxoo
Gorgeous!
Pam . . . you rock! Thanks once again for a little piece of heaven! Your photographs are amazing. Can’t wait to see the 2013 calendar!
Beautiful, beautiful! The blue sky and clouds just draw one in… making me smile on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Georgia!
Beautiful sky, and photos