After late afternoon rain showers in the summer tropics of Sanibel when the setting sun peeks out from the clouds, the colors of the sky seem to magnify the brilliant colors of the water, beach, sand and shells.
I didn’t find many empty shells along the middle island beach of Sanibel but I made up for it finding the perfect SAND DOLLAR. Or maybe I was so amazed by the living SEALIFE that I couldn’t focus on picking up shells. I’m still in awe over the baby KINGS CROWNS so my focus has been on stopping at every living thing to inspect it closely just to make sure I dont miss anything. WOW! I usually walk right on by the SEA ANEMONES at low tide trying to find half buried shells but this one stopped me in my tracks. Look at the color of this one! The shallow water waved the tentacles back and forth so I could get a view of it’s magical dance.
The turquoise blue color caught my eye on this different one. I think it’s a SEA ANEMONE because of the size, shape and texture but I never saw it open (I waited for about 15 minutes) and it didn’t retract when I gently touched it. Hmmmm. Something new again. Have you ever seen one this color?
I found this BRITTLE STAR wrapped up like a ball in the water that was lapping up on the beach. “He” looked like he had seen better days but I untangled him then placed him in shallow water without the wave action. He started coming alive again! You can see he is already starting to bury himself in the sand.
I could have taken hundreds of photos of live sea creatures during the low tide evenings this week but to experience such beautiful late afternoons with the cool breeze says it all in this next photo. It takes my breath away. Happy weekend to you all.
Four and a half months til November *takes a deep breath*
Absolutely beautiful images, totally amazing. Thank you Pam.
I am in awe as always. Just beautiful.
So inspiring and colors are priceless. Been going to SI for over 50 years and even your finds take my breath away. Love your postings. Hoping to come down for a couple of days soon. Will track your postings to motivate me! Go shell!
Wow, Pam. Such amazing life, colors, and photos. I’ve learned so much from you this year! Thanx.
I love sand dollars, love love love them.
Gorgeous pictures, Pam! I can’t wait to come back.
Beautiful photos, Pam!! Thanks for sharing. ;-)
For years my husband and I spent 4th of July at Sanibel, with the kids, without the kids, with whole extended family sometimes (primarily due to cost and it being cheaper then). For the last 2 years other commitments have kept us at home and I have vicariously had a “mental vacation” by reading this blog whenever the “I really need to be walking the beach” syndrome attacks. I just wanted to say thanks for so generously sharing your beach walks with us :)
Fabulous pictures! Last year someone said they were going to use one of your pictures as a background photo on their computer. So I figured out how to change our picture and started to do it. Now every couple of weeks I tell my husband “Pam’s got a new picture-I’m changing it.” You could do a photo book with all your great pictures. Happy shelling.
Pat
Oh.my.gosh. Love these photos and the thoughts that go along with them. Only one more week until my Sanibel fix…cannot wait! I have to thank you Pam for the blog that keeps us excited year round! One of the best things, you are also bringing the amazement to my 11 year old twin girls…they love every new picture, video and thought! Thanks!
Pam,
We just got back from Sanibel last week. I found some of those blue creatures, too. I think they might be an onion anemone but I’m not sure. They were very interesting. I love your pictures, videos and postings. You have the best “job”!
Thanks for sharing!
Sue
Those photos are incrediblle. You show so well the abundant life on the Island. I come down in January, and I love seeing what the Island looks like at different times of the year. THANK YOU!
What beautiful colours. Nature is always full of such amazing and wonderful things. How lucky you are to be able to discover these things every day. Right now we are in the middle of a torrential downpour here and things are looking very dull and gray. Thank you for bringing a touch of colour to brighten my day.
We will be in Sanibel beginning July 14. Are planning on the shelling trip with you on the 17th and look forward the meeting you and sharing another adventure!
The Heels Family
Wow Pam..these pictures are totally amazing to me!
The subject and the colors !
Would you ever consider sharing with out the watermark?
I would love to have these on canvas for my wall…incredibly beautiful photo’s.
I love going to the seashore when ever I want with you blog…thanks so much for doing all you do to offer that to everyone <3
Bonnie
Pam,
Surely you will live forever! Life on the beach is so regenerative to the human soul. Thanks for sharing with your fellow sea and shellaholics!
Beautiful, beautiful pics!!! Wish, wish I were there. The ” cool breeze” caught my eye. I am in Austin, Texas where we had a record breaking temp. Of 106 today!! Yuuuuuccckk!! Hope to be in Sanibel soon!!
76 days and counting!
Thank you, Pam, for ending my week back from vacation with beauty and wonder. Have a marvelous weekend!
Oh, how I miss the beaches of Sanibel. Thank you for this blog!
LAUGHTER MAY BE THE BEST MEDICINE, BUT SANIBEL SURE SOOTHES THE SOUL. Cheers to Pat B’s idea: Pam you ARE a fabulous photo journalist and a BEACH BOOK is just what this fan is wishing for as well. :)
Love the beach book idea!
me too!! go for it pam
I agree with the beach book idea, Pam – go to bookemon.com and you can do one by entering your pictures and then people order them off line one at a time – no large printing fees etc….my son did that for the USSORISKANY when it was sunk off the coast of Pensacola, FL – he was the photographer and diver that helped Discover Channel film the whole sinking, etc.
I live that you post about the beauty of “live” shelling too. It is an amazing view into the world of our beautiful Gulf here it’s not all about gathering the shells but also about protecting them! Thank you for reminding us to look at everything!!!
While a book would be great, I think you should link your amazing videos and set them to music calling the finished product the Sanibel Symphony. I know that the video I took of a brittle star waving its arms seemed like it was doing a waltz. The waving sea anemones, leaping dolphins, scrabbling crabs and trail making olives all remind me of music. Add the dancing of the beach birds and you have a major production!
CHEERS TO MARILYN !! What a great idea…. The newest photo kiosks at WALGREENS have DVD~MOVIE makers with splendid symphonies for soundtracks and vivid color settings to create text… and you can work from your home p.c. !! Pam’s talent inspires me to learn lots about the seashore, and Marilyn thank you for the music~nature connection :)
Pam,
Love the blue anemone. Wondering if you have considered selling an “i love shelling” car magnet similar to the bumper sticker that you offer in your online shop. Also, I would LOVE to see a lightweight nylon wind-breaker jacket for those of us who want to cover up at sunrise and sunset to keep the no-see-ums away. Co-ordinating pants would be nice too. The ones I find in the stores in the Midwest tend to be too heavy of a fabric for the beach!
Janet, love your idea of a I Love Shelling windbreaker and nylon pants. The no see ums are brutal and I am sure these items would sell fast!
here here! pam! more ideas. how about a little store on Sanibel!
Hi Pam,
Your posts are always so interesting! They always make me want to just hop a plane. Wonderful pictures today! Such an inspiration! Thank you soo much!
I would love to find a sand dollar! So far, I’ve only found pieces. How can you be sure a sand dollar you find on the beach is dead?
The heavens are telling the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.
Totally Agree!
Beyond Awesome!!!! I swear I am going to live nearby someday!
We are here on island! These crazy winds and rough waves are making it hard to find any shells. We found a few minis bit that’s been about it. Gotten more wind burn than shells. Any help from anyone? We’ve been to the lighthouse and are staying on west gulf. We haven’t been to the pass yet. Where are the shells? =(
That was a terrific description of the tranquility that one finds on the island. Our 2-month vacation there is coming up and we can’t wait to unwind on Sanibel’s beaches.
WOW! Loved meting Lee & Susan! They are adorable and sooo funny. Never will forget that awesome shelling experience!