I had a few extra minutes today (how did my life get so busy?) so I snagged those few minutes to take a beach break. I’m so glad I did! With a beautiful 75 degrees and a slight breeze, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach was the perfect hunting ground for the minis. I found a BROWN BAND WENTLETRAP along with a cutie DUSKY CONE, TUSKS, SPARSE DOVE SHELLS and many other sweet shells.
After I found a few of these beauties, I saw something else weird wash up in the surf that look sort of like giant orange pulp (with a strange alien creature in each pulp)….
Dr. Eric Milbrandt from Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation identified it for me as a Clavelina picta COLONIAL TUNICATE. It’s in the same family as the SEA PORK we see often on our beaches. Weird and very cool. Thanks Eric! (BTW, I put it back in the water since it still had fluid in each of those sacs)
Before I found the TUNICATE and the BROWN BAND WENTLETRAP, I filmed a little video because I was so shocked that I walked right out from the parking lot to find so many goodies. I normally have to search high and low to find a honey hole of minis! I’ll show you exactly where I found all of my minis and my orange glob of coolness.
Wow, Pam. Not only are you a fabulous sheller, magnificent blogger, but you are nearing professional status with your video productions!! Such fun.
Cooooorlyyyyy! You are too kind! Thank you so much, sweetie
I needed to hear the ocean and see the sand, water and shells on my break in IL today. Thanks so much, Pam, for bringing that to me!
Thank you for sharing!! I’m so glad you took the few minutes to go shelling! What treasures!
They’re so cute! I see you found a top shell and some candy. Love the wts too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that plulp stuff before either. Hope the nice weather and shelling continue. Pat
Pam- Quit picking that stuff up!!! ;-) Does it taste as good as sea pork??
hahaha I can’t help it, Kris! LOL I love to inspect the stuff that washes up that strikes my curiosity. I actually saw this same type tunicate last year too but it turned to mush by the time I got to photograph it. So thats why I wasn’t going to mess around and wait to photograph it this time. Pick it up. inspect. get grossed out. inspect more. photograph. release. ;)
Good for you Pam! :)
You are a brave, brave woman!! ;-)
Just got back from 5 days of relaxation on Sanibel!! Already fixing to plan next year’s trip# Loved the water, some great sunsets, and MANY varieties of shells!! We ate plenty of awesome food and hubby got to golf and see some gators…the biggest about 12′ long!
Great video! It’s nice to see you and hear your voice. Hayley is in the other room making another mobile, and Della is playing with the plastic ring Hayley took off the mayonnaise jar! You have had such a positive impact on her! Love you, girl!
Pam,
Thank you so very much for the videos and blogs and of course the gorgeous pics! Every night I watch your videos over and over just to hear and see the ocean and waves and shells, You’re so very kind to share with all of us who are landlocked, you’re extremely knowledgeable and fun to listen to. Thank you again and happy shelling !!
PS. Thinking about making a site called iWishiwasshelling.com :P
Hey April
That’s a great idea for a blog!!
Mary Ann
East Granby. CT
You know I love the teeny tiny shells! Great brown-banded wentletrap! Nice dusky cone, good sparse dove shells… It’s all good!
See Pam, be good to the earth & it will be good to you!
Happy Earth Day
You are lucky to spend it on Sanibel.
Keep the vids coming. Such a treat
Mary Ann
East Granby. CT
Hope your friends bobcats are growing & doing well.
Hey, Pam! Read about the colonial Tunicates in the book I sent!:)
Nature is amazing, even when it is gooey and yucky! Thanks for the lesson. Marilyn