I found this ANGEL WING pair the same day I found those cute little RAGGED SEA HARESÂ in my last post but I kinda got distracted in showing this cool find for a few days. Things have been a little crazy here in on the west coast of Florida since Tropical Storm Isaac has been trying to make his mind up if we were going to be his target or not. It doesnt look like a direct hit for us, so before I get distracted again, I’ve got to show you what happened with this cool juvenile ANGEL WING!
As soon as I saw this double ANGEL WING on the beach, I got out my video camera and started filming since it isn’t often that you find the pair together laying on the beach. It seemed so weird to me…. and it got weirder when I saw that the body of the MOLLUSK was still inside the shell. So walk along with me while we watch what happens to this “shell” …
He was alive! It’s that so cool he survived?
Remember when I said I thought he lost his MESOPLAX(which I probably mispronounced the word but hey, I was happy that I remembered the dang thing ;))? That is the little plate or cross bar that is attached to both valves when the animal is still alive. I thought that was gone when I didn’t think he was alive. I quickly put on my cheater readers (thank goodness I had them with me!) and saw that the MESOPLAX was still in place. To show you what it looks like, here’s a photo of an ANGEL WING pair with its MESOPLAX that MurexKen and MurexAlice found and I posted in Angels On The Gulf Coast.
 As I write this post in my home on Sanibel Island, it is rainy, dark and dreary with scattered wind gusts effecting us already from Tropical Storm Isaac which is just starting to hit the western part of the Florida Keys. The storm track has now moved further to the west so we are not in “the cone” as we were yesterday and early this morning. We are far enough away from the storm now that we don’t have any evacuation warnings. Oh. Thank. Goodness. We don’t have to evacuate but we were prepared to leave and would have left in a heartbeat if we were still on track for a hurricane. We don’t mess with Mother Nature. Now our thoughts are with the folks that are in the new path and wishing safety for everyone. Please be safe!
So now that they are only predicting tropical force winds here similar to what we experienced with Tropical Storm Debbie in June, I expect to see shells rolling in but not until a couple of days. Right now the shells are being taken out with the east winds so there is nothing really on our beaches at this point. The storm should pass us tomorrow afternoon but it may bring storm surge flooding which can be very dangerous so we always have to consider safety first. It should take a couple of days any way for the shells to arrive since they have been pushed out with the eastern winds so they have to have time to get pushed back on to our shores. I’m thinking late Wednesday afternoon or Thursday… then game on. I cannot wait to share with you the shelling effects of this storm later this week! Do YOU have a time prediction for this to happen? …
Couldn’t watch the video…it said it was private…can you let us in? thanks
AAAAcckkk! I fixed it! I wonder why that happens some times??? ugh sorry you guys-
Couldn’t watch the video either, black screen says “private.”
What a great find, Pam! I’m so very happy “he” was alive!
When it is safe to go shelling, we can’t wait to see what gifts the sea has for you!
That is the coolest video/post ever! the Angel Wing is my favorite…thank you. So glad Isaac is not going to be a direct hit. Cannot wait to see what comes washing in from that storm! Yahoo!
Cant wait we will be down there Wed emonveing through Mon. If we find anything really cool I will let u know……
the storm is forecast to be in the gulf by late Mon aft/Tues – you should be getting west/southwest winds by then…think your timeline is right on – late Wed/Thurs should have things rolling in! ..and I am soooooooo there!
Oh that video is SOOOOOOOO cool!!!! LOVE IT!! But that last pic of The beaches after TS Debbie, I have to admit I have a love/hate feeling for….the love is for what fun the shellers must have had, and the hate is the envy I have just wishing I was there!
I love your site, and I was in Clearwater for Debbie, found a few live shells and moved them down the beach away from tourists, we had a great time on the gulf, zipped over from the Treasure coast to enjoy some R&R with our youngest son before he departed to Japan with the Navy.
Pretty cool! I’m glad I’m not the only one who talks to shells. LOL
I thought the exact same thing!! I do it all the time. LOL! It’s like they’re my little buddies. I just love shelling! :)
Hi Pam
Loved the video! I am over on the s east coast of FL and we are getting hammered with high winds and torrential rain most of the day. Glad you are out of the cone now. Can’t wait to see the shells that come in later this week. Stay safe!
The last photo is from when Debbie toss shells on the beach?
Ive, Yup! Those are shells after TS Debbie on this post… http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2012/06/27/buckets-of-seashells-on-sanibel-from-tropical-storm-debby/
I sure hope you don’t have anything damaging…we’re hoping that here in North Central FL, too. I posted something today that I would really like for you to see if you have a chance to come by my blog and visit! Hugs, Diane
That’s so cool to see one alive!! Never seen a live one but have collected quite a few angel wings over the years that no longer had tenants. They are very special shells and definitely one of my favorites!
I love watching you mini videos — It’s almost like we are there with you.
Hi Pam :)
That is a really awesome find!! I’ve never seen a double Angel Wing let alone one with a mollusk in it! You are lucky!! :)
I’ve been on the beaches a lot since moving here and I have found so many neat things, as well. I’m learning so much and truly enjoy the gift of finding so many neat treasures along our beautiful coastline!!
Enjoy all of the great finds later this week! Glad you both are safe from Isaac :)
Kelly
Pam,
Great video and how nice to see one alive. Hope all of you on Sanibel will be safe with the storm coming. The only good thing is the shelling should be good after it’s
gone.
We’ll be down 9/21 and will be looking for you and Super Sheller Clark on the beaches.
I was hoping you would say something about the after effects of Isaac and what the shelling would be like!!!! My husband and I are going to head over on Thursday from Hollywood to try and find some treasures! Might try Bowman’s and Blind Pass. Thank you!
I’m in New Orleans and we’re dreading the storm here. It’s pretty scary because it’s the latest big one since Katrina, although I think we’re way more prepared for it this time.
Jody! Please be safe! Geez, get the heck outta there!
I was on Cayo about 2 weeks after TS Debby and there were tons of perfect angel wings. I’ve never seen so many in one place. They are such an intricate & delicate shell. I’m always amazed when one is found intact. I’m sure Lighthouse Beach is going to be a bonanza. Let’s just hope the star fish get a break this time.
Pam, this couldn’t have been better news – I have spent days sweating over the thought that we should have been there Thursday, still waiting to head down – and now so thankful the storm moved out (except for the poor people of New Orleans etc) – hoping it doesn’t hit my son in Pensacola – but soooooo excited to be there Wed or so, when those shells hit the beach!!!!! So, thanks for that update. See you then! Johnnie
Pam,
We need to call you the shell whisperer!
Keep safe.
Great video. Watching the weather! Be safe!
So glad you are safe and don’t have to evacuate. We were hammered here on the East Coast last night, but I see a little sunshine this morning. Might have to make a trip over Wednesday to check it out. Stay safe – your posts are so exciting to see – Great Job!!!
What a fantastic rescue, Pam! That little guy was sure lucky that you came along when you did! Enjoy the shell buffet to come!
Thanks for the update. I rent a beachfront condo every year this time and we were there Saturday and then left to ride the storm out at my parents in Punta Gorda. We are headed down this afternoon to get ready and limber up for the sanibel stoop – the only good thing to come out of this storms – Shells!!!
Pam, love the Angel Wing!! Very Nice Find!!! And great video!!! Best Wishes, and Stay Safe down there!!!
Pam, my prediction is Wednesday! Good Luck!
That is absolutely amazing finding an angel wing alive!! That video is something else. And you’re totally making me drool with that big pile of shells from Debbie. I have dibbs the piles will appear over the weekend.
I’m so excited for you and the first Junonia Clark finds is mine, I dropped one a while back…..bwahhh!
The video is so interesting as usual. I’m glad you were able to save him.
I have been following the storm through the City of Sanibel’s video’s as well as your links to the Web Cams. I can’t believe that I just saw a couple walking the beach and 2 people actually in the ocean in front of Island Inn. I can understand walking the beach, but SWIMMING????? I guess I’m not that much of a risk taker. I hope they will be all right.
I am predicting a Junonia find near Blind Pass one week from today.
Tim
Terrific post! Great to see the little live angel wing! Thanks for saving him!
Love your videos. How rare is it to find a live angel wing? They are hard enough to find intact not alive. I am so happy that the storm isn’t going to wreak too much havoc on our favorite place on earth. Can’t wait to see what rolls in! Happy shelling
I will be down in Oct. hope to see you again.
Roxanne, live angel wing pairs are fairly easy to find, if you know their habitat and what signs to look for. Dead angel wings pairs are much more difficult to find, since they are not held together by a proteinaceous hinge (like most other bivalves), but just by the muscles of the mollusk and the mesoplax. Once the mollusk dies, the mesoplax separates from the two angel wings/halves, which also separate fairly quickly from each other.
That makes sense about them being harder to find once the shell isn’t inhabited. They don’t have much to hold them together! Thank you Murex Ken! I’m honored you took the time to address my question.