This morning the shells showed up under the bridge on the Sanibel side of Blind Pass again like last week. But this time, a LION’S PAW showed up!!
My friend Eileen was the lucky one to find this sweet specimen. Wahhhooo!! I am thrilled for her. This was on her shell list this year so now… “Find a Lion’s Paw” CHECK! We always seem to give each other luck. She and Rob were with me when I found my QUEENS HELMET in November so now she found her gorgeous LIONS PAW.
Rob (who found a LIONS PAW last year with Clark and me) was working the shell backhoe in the water to help fill up their shell bag…
Wanna peak inside that ziplock bag? They found lots of WHELKS, TULIPS, MUREXES, SCALLOPS and really nice pink double ALTERNATE TELLIN…
He also found this really cool FROND OYSTER…
It looks exactly like a palm frond.
I couldnt help but show off some of their gorgeous SCALLOPS they were finding. I will NEVER get tired of looking at the amazing colors of SCALLOPS and I love when I see other people get excited when they find them too.
Okay, but I have to show you what Olivia found. I introduced you to Olivia on my last post about the Lighthouse Beach and I found out today that she found a JUNONIA last night on the same beach! Wooot! Wooot! Congratshellations to you Olivia and to you Eileen!
I thought we’d have to wait until the cold front tonight before we saw great finds like JUNONIAS and LIONS PAWS but it looks like the shells are already here! Can’t wait to see what more will be in store for us in the next few days at Blind Pass and the Sanibel Lighthouse Beach
PS- It’s Tuesday morning now and the beach is wiped clean. It’s too rough waves for the shells to stay on the shore. Maybe Wednesday … If the surf calms.
Awesome shelling!! Congrats on the great shellacious finds!!
Great lion’s paw and frond oyster. Never get tired of the calico scallops-especially the yellow and orange ones. I also like the alternate tellins. I wish these shells were around in February.
Pat
Going to Sanibel for the first time in september – will I be able to find seashells like those in the pix?
Every day the beach is different and you never know what you will find until you get there. It’s a treasure hunt! The shells were there yesterday and today the beach is wiped clean. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Thanks Pam. That’s the exciting part of shelling!
So very cool! It’s been awhile since I have been shelling on that beautiful island. Miss it, and you Pam. I’m catching up again with the goings on of your blog, and with Sanibel. And I never knew about the Queen’s helmet. Thanks for educating me!
That is a beautiful junonia! Envy envy envy!
Congratulations Olivia!!!! Did you know that some people collect seashells for 20 or 30 years and never find a junonia? You are very very lucky!!
Nice!
See you on the beach April 6! Wow – I’d love to find a Lion’s Paw….its been 30 plus years since I found one. Way cool!
Hi
I enjoy your sight. Keep me posted for Wednesday and I will be right over. Just purchased a home on the other side of the causeway. Congrats to Olivia for your find……a dream come true.
We are currently here on Sanibel this week. Was excited to read about yesterday’s finds – especially Olivia’s! Way to go! We shelled in the pile you showed (under the bridge) on the Sanibel side of Blind Pass around 6:00 a.m. yesterday morning. We didn’t find a Lion’s Paw (so much envy!), but we did find several whole tulips, murexes, and shark’s eyes. We found a few sand dollars on Bowman’s and then halfway between Bowman’s and Blind Pass, we found a good-sized pile yesterday that included lots of whelks, 2 King’s Crowns and 2 cones. We were so excited. Please do keep us posted regarding the state of the beach Wednesday. Just like you said, we went out this morning, and the beach was wiped clean – our piles were totally gone. This is just our second time on Sanibel, so we were trying to figure out where all the shells were. I appreciate you explaining the “why”! Thanks for such a great blog!!
Hoping all fans of the LION’S PAW shell will enjoy the book by Robb White entitled
The Lion’s Paw…beloved by baby~boomers, especially those like myself,
fortunate to be in Mrs. Sawyer’s fourth grade class at EMERSON ELEMENTARY. SCHOOL, in Miami… 1959 was a very special year. I became a 4th grade teacher and read The Lion’s Paw to my students each year… for 27 years.
And, may I also recommend reading White’s book Our Virgin Island…
Eileen, I’m so happy for your lucky find… such a lovely lion’s paw !!
Pam,
I love cybershelling. We were in Sanibel Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 but both times the shelling was a little scarce, nothing like I’ve seen on your blog lately. I love it when there is a photo I can enlarge so I can cybershell. I wish you would include more cybershelling pics on your website for all of us who love shelling. It may be the next best thing to actually being there.
Thanks,
Linda, Burlington, NC
Hi I just want to say that I love and adore your blog and videos. You should see Australia’s sea shells they’re beautiful but not as good as the shells in Florida. I will be coming up there at one point of my life to collect some amazing shells from sanibel. I will be sure to send you some photos of the shells I collect in Sydney, Australia.
Gorgeous images Pam, and great shells!
Gorgeous images Pam, and great shells!
Yesterday I found a little piece of Lion’s Paw (more like a Lion’s Knuckle!) here on Nevis. Lots of lovely small rough scallops in every color too. Would you like me to bring you a few shells of the Caribbean Strawberry Cockle to compare with that really beautiful Sanibel Strawberry Cockle you found?
I just love to see the younger generation making the big find of the Junonia. I just think a younger person finding such a great shell would be really exciting.
We are coming next month and I can’t wait to be on the beach again….to me there is something very calming about the ocean and I love the wonderful treasures that live in the ocean.
Congrats! Olivia on your Great Find!
Hope you find some more treasurers to add to your collection.
Happy Shelling to all!
Out shelling today with a friend at Blind Pass Captiva side. She found a baby helmet. So, color me jealous.
Great Finds! Olivia’s luck made me smile…good for you.
Pam, I have noticed that you mention shell piles and great finds at either Blind Pass ( both sides) and the Lighthouse. Are these the areas that are normally best for finding great shells, or is it just that you spend most of your time on these sites? In June when we come to Sanibel we will be staying at the Island Inn, which is between both of these areas. Should we venture to the ends of the island instead of staying around the Island Inn?????
If you remember, January and February I was at gulf side city park a lot. So it really depends on the weather where I go. Also. I like to post about p,aces that most people can get to where there is public parking.
Thanks for your answer Pam
I found this site a couple of weeks ago when searching for info on Naples since we’ll be there next week. My mantra has been “Pack light, you’ll be bringing a lot of shells home!”
Have you noticed how everyone who shells is always smiling?
Terry
I find that fellow shellers are really friendly, always curious about what I’m finding and sharing their own finds. I’ve gotten some really good hints and new places to look from these exchanges. My husband is always asking if I have to talk to EVERYONE on the beach (he loves to exaggerate!!)?
Congratulations on the beautiful finds! Olivia, congrats! I am soooo happy! I am coming for a visit on Saturday with my husband! Yipee!!! I will be there until the 5th! Hope to see meet you, Pam! :) Sherri from MN
How exciting! We were there last week and I finally found a King’s Crown and when the kids asked what was my next quest I said “Lion’s Paw” !