We’ve been waiting for a morning low tide that exposes parts of the beach we haven’t seen for months… and we got it this weekend. Near the water’s edge, we witnessed hundreds of live SAND DOLLARS uncovered for a short time while the tide was at its lowest. I could hardly walk without almost stepping on one so I searched higher on the beach in a few of the tidal pools. I had some great luck! I found LIGHTNING WHELKS, PAPER FIGS, APPLE MUREXES, BANDED TULIPS and so much more…
This is how I saw most of the shells… half buried in the sand.
I was thrilled to find this perfectly colorful KINGS CROWN CONCH. A baby!
I met Jan from Illinois who found this perfectly colorful LIGHTNING WHELK…
Hers is no baby. It’s a gorgeous adult.
To make the shelling even better, we had a little cool front come in on Saturday so the winds changed from the east to the west. That’s what we like to see in Southwest Florida! So with low tide mornings and west winds, today was some great shelling. I met Karley and Julie on Friday morning before the winds had changed but they still found a few treasures to start the week off. I hope you guys found lots more goodies this morning!
Unfortunately, I’m having troubles downloading the video I took this morning of my shell hunt to show you how to spot even more shells that are half buried in the tidal areas. Ack! It won’t download tonight! So I hope to get that fixed in the morning (after I get back from low tide shelling) so I can show you.
Until then, think about joining us on Thursday November 7 for our iLoveShelling cruise to Cayo Costa in the morning. The tide will be low and after a few more days of this north west wind, the shelling should be awesome. Meet lots of other folks with the same shelling passion! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Awesome finds. Love the baby kings crown!! ;-)
Looks like the banded tulips are coming back in!! Lots of lightning whelks too! Awesome treasures!!
We will be there this coming weekend! Best places to go shelling? I havent checked the tide charts yet; but, i was thinking the lighthouse, since its on the end and should catch lots of shells, and the pass. Would like your advice on where to go….please!!
What fantastic finds! I have not been to that beach, maybe next trip! Especially if there’s some pretty lightning whelks like you found! Love the larger shell in the photo resting on the palm of someone’s hand! Looking at your site is so torturous yet it can be such a happy place at the same time! Thankful others love the beach and all it’s jewels as much as I do!!
Oh what beautiful finds! What color on all of them too, love!
Keep shelling everyone !
Keep posting me dearest Pam, hugs
Mary Ann
East Granby. CT
Perfect conditions for great shelling…good luck everyone.
That last pic is a treasure to die for! :-) Love it!
Hi Pam, I enjoy your blog and shelling adventures so much! Will be staying at Ocean’s Reach right next to Gulfside Park during the month of December. Hope to run in to you there! We like to go out at sunrise. I enjoy shelling and photography, and jewelry making with my shells. Chris
Beautiful pictures. I have never seen sand dollars on Sanibel Island in the numbers they are now.
Fabulous shelling, never seen a lightning whelk that dark before. And that sunrise image at the top with the live sand dollars is beyond gorgeous! That should go in the “Sanibel Sunrise” calendar for sure! :)
That photo of that bendatula, that shell, did you leave it there or you took him with you?
Oh my, look at those beautiful sea whips, especially the one standing up like a Christmas tree on its own little shell “stand”. How cute would that be decorated with minis?! Too cute!
Hello Pam awesome shells as usual especially the perfect adult whelk. I went out this morning with my bestie and we had a shell of a good time. Of course the shelling was great but the ladies I met were too. This has been a fabulous hobby for me since moving from Ohio in more ways than one. Thanks Pam for teaching and encouraging me to shell.