Happy. That’s what this photo of a mom (Margaret) and daughter (Katy) from Chicago says “Happy”. I peaked into Kay’s shell bag and knew why she had such a happy face. Who wouldnt be happy filling a mesh bag full of seashell treasures like these…
She found this awesome ALPHABET CONE…
Her mom Margaret found great treasures too and pulled out these two ALPHIES and a TULIP…
Katy and Margaret collected their seashells this morning at Captiva’s Blind Pass but yesterday I saw Bridget and Brendan from New Hampshire on the Sanibel side of Blind Pass with the same happy faces.
They were exhilarated by finding gobs of shells like these FIGHTING CONCHS…
While I was in the parking lot at Blind Pass Sanibel, I ran into Jean from Iowa who found an extremely large PEAR WHELK (no, not in the parking lot, silly)…
I mean, this is a gargantuan PEAR WHELK!!!
Earlier in the week on the east end of Sanibel, I showed you all of the weird BEACH BLING that was washing up on the beach. Now the BLING (and Red Tide) is moving out with some north/northwest winds and those winds are bringing in some nice big shells.
My faves (and Clark’s) this weekend have been the multicolored SCALLOP shells. They are amazing! I relate it to the same experience as seeing a DOLPHIN… I will never get tired of spotting a DOLPHIN no matter how many times in the week I see them. Its the same with SCALLOPS. I will never get tired of spotting a beautifully colored SCALLOP and being amazed by so many different patterns. They are both magical.
Really beautiful scallops and really beautiful alphabet cones! Also a pear whelk so huge as to be amazing!
WOWZA! That Pear Whelk is amazing! So cool! Nice to hear that the red tide is receding…really don’t want to experience it…how long does it last? Is it an ongoing thing? Can’t wait to see what the wind brings in for shelling the next few days.
I just thought of something looking again at the Pear Whelk…looks kinda like a Paper Fig…are they similar? What’s the difference? Thanks.
Christine,
Some of the others here can give you more technical information than I can but here goes. The Pear Welk has lines of color running through it similar to the Lightning Welk. The Paper Fig is smoother and has more fluid curves on the top. It does not have any color stripings or markings, but some can be a darker color but the color is pretty much a solid color. Also the Paper Fig is much thinner and very fragile. If you look and Pam’s ID page and click on the photos of the 2 shells you will see more examples that should help you tell the difference. I hope tyhis helps.
thank you, Katherine. I will have to take another look at my shells, the one I have in front of me here at my compter appears to be a Pear Whelk, not a Fig. Who knew? I love to learn new info about the shells. Will be on Sanibel soon and can’t wait to hit the beach!
Wowzer !! Love that pear welk!
Love that pear whelk. I also like to pick up calicos-found some nice pale orange ones. My husband says I already have some calicos, but each one is different. Didn’t find any pairs this year.
Pat
Congrats to Jean for finding that HUMONGOUS Pear Whelk! Looks like the waves and the winds are bringing up the shells from the deep…..sigh. Wish I could be back there, in paradise. (Was just there a month ago, but had to leave).
Awesome
The pear welk is a beauty! I am headed to Sanibel next week and can’t wait to hunt for some beautifl shells too.
I got home last night. I would say that it was much better as the week went on, compared to when I arrived on last monday. By weds, I wasnt coughing, anf by thursday there were less fish washing up. What a thrill to meet Pam and Katherine!!
Donna,
It was so nice to meet you too. I’m glad you had super shelling the rest of the week. I’ve learned that if I don’t make my next year’s reservations while I am there, I can’t always get what I want. At least I know I will be back – even if I have to wait a whole year. The shells were great but you and Pam were my highlight!! Can’t wait to see you in May in NY with Susan H at the museum.
Awwwww!!! You are so sweet! I was already so lucky to meet you and Pam, but after that I met more amazing people while there. For instance, a stranger gave me her junonia piece!! Its huge!! Another stranger was looking for and found me to return a bag of my belongings I lost on the beach (camera, cell phone, credit card, drivers license, you can imagine my panic). It is a blessed place. Cannot wait to return!!
Oh and i just finished cleaning up mu shells, all 592 of them!! Wheeeee!!!! What a haul!!! :)
So glad you got your things back. You are right about the people. Everyone I meet there is so kind and nice. It seems like the nicest poeple come there and live there. Sanibel is magical that way.
Oh, I haven’t counted,but I don’t think it is anything close to 592 – wow!
Love the scallops photo!
LOVE the Pear Whelk!
Shelling is kind of like a box of chocolates you never know WHAT you are going to find!
I love Sanibel Island…..can’t wait till we get there again.
Great finds!