With a full moon and very low tide at sunrise this morning, I couldn’t resist strapping on my head lamp to search for shells on the sand bars at Blind Pass Sanibel at 6:30 am this morning. I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t resist.
Chikee and Maria from New Jersey were happy to they got out there early to find some of their favorite shells. That beautiful SHARKS EYE, WORMIE and the WHELKS in the first photo were Maria’s favorites.
Look at all of the shells Sue found! The Sanibel Six with an ALPHABET CONE, KINGS CROWN CONCH, LACE MUREXES, TRUE TULIP, OLIVES and LIGHTNING WHELKS… and so many more.
Sue (on the right) was with her friends Mary and Alissa who came all the way from California to Sanibel to shellebrate Sue’s birthday. Best birthday ever.
Don and Vickie came down to Sanibel from Siesta Key, Florida to do some shelling to shellebrate too. You guessed it! It was Don’s birthday too. It was a birthday party on the sand bar!
Phil and Kathy had some to shellebrate as well. Phil’s perfect ALPHABET CONE!
Ruth knew she had a treasure when she found a plump and perfect PAPER FIG…
Even though it was in the low 60s this morning, Nancy, Ruth and Jim were still very happy to be in shorts instead of parkas in Maryland.
It was such a lovely morning!
UPDATE 12-17-13- disregard this next statement (starting with “FYI”). We just got news that the Sanibel side of blind pass will remain open.
But…. FYI- I just got word this afternoon that Blind Pass Sanibel parking lot might be closing soon for a few weeks. The beach renourishment project will be moving to the Sanibel side of Blind Pass soon to fill in some of the beach that has been eroded since Hurricane Sandy. “Both parking lots adjacent to Blind Pass will now likely be used by construction to finish beach project. So, expect no parking lot for next two weeks.” Ugh… This is the bad news I heard today from Mike of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District. Thanks for the update, Mike! For any other updates, go to http://mycepd.com
I’ve been asked countless times if I think shelling is best at day break. I always respond saying “the best time to shell is… any chance you can get to the beach”. But when the tide is really low like every day predicted this week (Tide Chart CLICK HERE), it’s a blast to get out in the morning with all of the other hard core shellers…. on any beach in Southwest Florida. It was so worth it to find these favorites of mine…
Join me on a Shelling Adventure!
These awesome shelling reports are hard to take Pam….thrilled for all the finders (that perfect wormie and the huge flat !!! wowzer! ) that are there on Sanibel at such a perfect time and absolute agony that I’m NOT!!! I just keep repeating…my day will come….I believe!!
I hope your day comes soon too, Parker!
I am right there with you Parker!!! lol
Oh my, fantastic!!! Yeah for everyone there. Keep sharing Pam, thank you.
Mary Ann
East Granby. CT
Great shells and great blog post Pam.
I am just home from my third annual two-week stay on Sanibel, and I loved it. The weather was fantastic, so summery, with lots of light at this dark time of year. Everything is green and flowering. I had a wonderful time with the shells, especially the micros. Perhaps the island should be renamed Shelibel? :)
Welcome Home Susan. So glad you had a great trip. I plan on going again the end of February and I can’t wait. If I get stuck on any ID’s, I’ll let you know.
I like Shellibel. :)
I really like Shelibel too.
Pam – Is that the most awesome Flat you’ve ever found?!!! It’s a WOW!
i like Shellibel too!
Pam, can I ask which headlamp you use? Thanks.
When we bought ours, it was the best one I could find (without spending a fortune) its called a Petzl (Tikka xp2) but now there are so many out there with better light. but i still like it!
Thanks Pam for the information on the parking. Where would one park then if we want to go to those beaches during that time? I plan on being there Dec 30 for around a month staying in Fort Myers so i would have to take my car to get to the island.When I look at Google Earth I see a parking lot on Pine but I cannot read the sign what it says. Thank you.
The closest public parking to blind pass would be either Bowmans Beach or Alison Hagerup parking lot on Captiva.
There are two parking lots on both sides. Why can’t you use them?
Pam’s update at the top of the article explains that both Blind Pass parking lots are going to be used solely for construction vehicles during this current phase of the beach renourishment project.
Ah, another of Pam’s updates says they will NOT be closing the Sanibel side parking lot.
Hi Pam! I will be there for Shellabaloo (can’t wait!!), and wondering if the two parking lots are not open at Blind Pass, are there any other options for getting there? Is there another public access that you can “hike” down the beach to get there? I can’t think of anywhere on Captiva that provides public parking other than Blind Pass?
Kris S. – OMG I can’t wait for Shellabaloo either…And to meet you!
OH oops! I just read your post right above mine! thanks for the info!
The Jersey girls should be glad they are there instead of here. It is snowing today. 44 more days and I’ll be there too. Hope the parking lot is open by than.
The day after we leave. Sheesh!
Oh well, there’s always next time…..
Happy Birthday to all oft he lucky ones. My husband and I spent our birthdays back in Oct. on Sanibel. No better place to shellabrate. The shells that everyone is finding is unbelievable…..
Wonderful shelling news! Looks like a fun week ahead. Pam, beautiful flat scallop and bittersweet!
Very bummed about both parking lots being closed… I shelled at Blind Pass this morning and as I look at these pictures I realize it was Chikee and Maria I was talking with today. I also met Ilka from Destin. I think every sheller I chatted with, follows and loves your blog. And I thought to myself, I wonder just how many people have met as a result of Pam’s work? Probably far more than you ever could have imagined!
Oh Sue and Ken S, it is an amazing shelling community/family we have!
We could be in luck with the parking lots… I talked to one of the guys at the project today and he said they are trying to work things out for their equipment so they won’t have to close both lots at the same time. Oh please please please! (yes, I begged a little :/ ) they are having to play things by ear… and get things done the right way.
UPDATE: just got news they will NOT be closing Sanibel side parking lot of blind pass. Yippee!!
What a fantastic flat! What great colors-love the bittersweet, fig, lightning whelk, etc. Hope the shelling is good when we come next year. Good shelling. Pat
I would love to find a huge shark eye that that one in the fist picture.
Looks like its a little chilly on those beaches, huh?