I spied thousands of ARKS at Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island this morning. Most days you can find TRANSVERSE ARKS scattered along the beach since they are one of the most common shells on Sanibel.
There are a few different species of ARKS so let me show you the difference. Top row left to right- a MOSSY ARK and a TURKEY WING. Bottom row left to right- CUT-RIBBED ARK, TRANSVERSE ARK and a PONDEROUS ARK.
It’s a little easier to identify bivalves and see the difference (and the likeness) between them by looking at the interior of the shell.
I only had a few minutes to walk the beach today so I just wanted to look for minis in some of the wrack lines I pointed out the other day in my Shelling 101 video. I found TUSK SHELLS (there were thousands of those too), a KEYHOLE LIMPET, WENTLETRAPS, CERITHS, AUGERS, a TURRID, juvie CONCHS, juvie OLIVE, and a piece of CORAL.
I also found a somewhat beat up LINEATE DOVE SNAIL.
If you need any help identifying any of these shells, check out my Seashells Identification Page…
As I walked this morning, I couldn’t help but notice this amazing village sand sculpture on the beach- with its own arena and swimming pool. I was inspired to write about ARK SHELLS because so many artists like to use these sweet little white shells as embellishments for their pieces of art- just like this beach artist did. ARKS are perfect decorations for so many projects. Inspiring!
I like to pick up the turkey wings and the mossy arks-sometimes a cut ribbed ark. I don’t know if I have found any lineate dove snails. I’ll check when I get home. Heard there’s snow coming to the NY area tomorrow and Thursday. Not looking forward to going home next week. Pat
Pam, I love it when you show similar shells together to help us differentiate them. I think I have some Mossy Arks from this last trip; I thought they were worn Turkey Wings. I can’t wait to go home to check. :-)
Some nice minis there!!!
I see you have probably 4 or 5 (or more?) lilac augers in your batch. They are the very narrow pale pinkish ones. Cool! They are very delicate and pretty — they get to be maximum only 3/4 of an inch.
The BMSM image is not at all typical-looking, but while I was visiting Jose, I asked him to show me them in the reference collection, so now I know what they really look like. They don’t look too much like this, at least not to me:
http://shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=115
Thats probably why I haven’t gotten too much into figuring the different augers out. I might just have to look further into these lilacs. I went back to GSCP to look for another turbonilla with little pill bottle in hand (since i lost the last one)- no luck but I could have picked up a gazillion augers. I hope to figure out what I have in augers soon- maybe i have a few turbonilas mixed up with my augers. thanks!
I enjoyed looking at your gallery…how awesome! Hugs from North Central FL, Diane
Thank you Diane!
Hi Pam – I have been following your blog for a few months now. I came across it while searching for information about Sanibel & Captiva Islands. I am from Nova Scotia (I seen in one of your past blogs that you’ve been to visit us!) and I am planning on a visit to beautiful Sanibel with my family… hopefully later this year. I just want to let you know how much you’ve taught me in the past few months about -not only shells- but all sorts of sea creatures, “beach bling”, animals, birds, and so much about the islands as well! I have not found so much valuable information anywhere else on the web! You should be Sanibel’s spokesperson! I go to your blog everyday to look up something – even just to peruse older posts and videos. I absolutely LOVE cyber-shelling – I see so many things that I wish I could pick up and look at. Your photos are gorgeous – Thank you for being so kind, and sharing so much with us all!
Such a sweet note Michelle- thank you so much- this is what keeps me going and posting more. xo
I see a letter “S” shell in that pile lol :-))) Word!
Hi Pam – trying to check out your gallery but it only partially loads. None of the pictures are coming up.
Thank you bonnie for checking out my gallery!!! I’ve tried to bring it up on my computer and iPad and Both come up for me…. Hmmmm maybe it was just a glitch?
I am new to your website/newsletter. Your website is fabulous! We will be coming to Sanibel for the first time in March of 2015. I can not wait!!!!!!!
Hi Pam, Loving your collecting of the tiny and juvie shells! They are so precious. Since my recent visit to Sanibel I have made some jewelry from the tinys. Gorgeous!! You inspired me and continue to do so with your love of them!
thanks y’all for such nice comments!
Psm: FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY – I looked real hard and Y E S – I have every shell you posted in my collection. Now I don’t feel so left out. You are still in my bucket list and I WILL GET THERE. Janet/AZ (shells in Cholla Bay, PR)
The only sea shells I am able to collect right now since I live in North Middle Tennessee,are fossil specimens from the Late Ordovician time period in the area around Nashville.All are now extinct, but very well preserved, often with both valves intact!