As I was shelling yesterday, I thought of all the amazing sightings I get to witness on Sanibel’s beaches. Feeling very content and fortunate, I still picked up a shell to add to this shell tree so I could make a wish.
Afterwards, I walked back to the shoreline to find a yellow ONE TOOTH SIMNIA on a golden SEA WHIP. I immediately thought of Gina from Shellabaloo 2.
Then I was captured by the sight of a guy on a SUP standup paddle board against the aqua water and brilliant blue sky. I got out my video camera and started filming the peaceful sight. A DOLPHIN popped out of the water right in front of him and he “whooped” with excitement. Wow!
Finding the simple pleasures in life make wishes come true. This inspired me to make another video…. Sanibel Wishes. Open your eyes to take in whats right in front of you… then make a wish.
I not only placed a shell on the shell tree for a wish, I also placed shells on a castle built for the memory of a shelling friend.
There are people I meet on the beach for a brief moment but I feel I have an immediate kinship. Brett was one of those people.
Sanibel wishes and memories.
My thoughts are with you Ian, Jeff, Connie, John and your families.
Love that video, Pam! See you in 4 weeks. Can’t wait! ☀️
Memories of Sanibel leave a smile on my face :-)
Thank-you so much for the video, it made me happy!
I just love your videos – thanks for sharing them! Love the credits at the end too :)
What a wonderful thing to share with us today! I think I’ll start a shelling tree on my beach!
Pam, I just love your videos! They keep me connected to the place I love best! I won’t be back till October, and I’ll be bringing two of my grands! Going to take them “Shelling”!!!!!!!
Love the video and the one tooth simnia. The water looks so nice and calm. Happy shelling. Pat
Wow Pam, your videos really are getting to be great! I think we are witnessing the birth of a filmmaker!
BTW, the shell in the memorial which is top left right under the dedication appears to be something like a Fusinus species. Is that a wedding shell or an interesting new rarity?
Hi Susan! Honestly I think it’s a horsie that is just half buried…. But then I didn’t look that closely at it. I realize now that I didn’t show the whole memorial. It was tremendous…. With different layers of shells and sand sculptures on the side. A beautiful site that the camera couldn’t quite catch but I think it is best that way.
Oh yes, I think you are right — it is a young horsie.
You nailed it again Pam! Great video! Thanks!
I think of Sanibel everyday!!
Mary Ann
East Granby CT
Lovely video brought back happy memories of other shell trees at Sanibel. Thanks.
where is the shell tree on sanibel? Have never seen it but would like to contribute next year when I am there.
I guess that “shell trees” appear and disappear on Sanibel here and there, from time to time, almost at random, according to who finds a nice “skeleton” of a bush or small tree (sometimes washed up), and decides to set it up vertically in the sand somewhere (unless by luck it sets itself up OK). Then people decorate the branches until a really high tide or high waves wash the whole thing away. It’s ephemeral art.
You could maybe start one yourself Gail while you are visiting, assuming you found a suitable remains of a bush. :)
Thank you Pam for placing a shell and remembering my Brother. Brett had a special place in his heart for shelling and sharing it with you and anyone he could. He would often handed out shells he had found to young children as we walk on the beaches of Sanibel just to see their smiles and amazement. His spirit lives on in all of use. See you on the beaches. Fondly Jeff.
Beautiful video, Pam! Now don’t take your talents off to Hollywood and leave us all without cyber shelling! Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring post.
Beautiful Sanibel…a heavenly place Beautiful Video
Thank you Pam for mentioning Brett and the photos. We shared many good times together shelling here on Sanibel. The memories will be with us forever.
Cheryl Harrison
Love, love, love the video. It’s awe inspiring. I will watch everytime I feel I need a boost to happy.
Thanks for your awesome sharing.
Gigi
Pam-
Through your amazing website, you have brought together a diverse group of people who share the love of shelling. Even though we do not know each individual on a personal level, we are thrilled to see his/her great “finds” and feel as if we are part of the shelling excursions. I would also like to leave a shell at Brett’s memorial if you would please give the location. Thank you.
Pam, thank you for sharing the beautiful video, I was watching it here in Seattle and wishing for the sun to visit us here and it popped out of the clouds, just as the video finished. Thanks for sending your magic up here to the Pacific Northwest. We love your blog, thank you for sharing your special talent with us and the amazing beauty of Sanibel :)
Julie
Sorry to hear about your friend. What a nice way to share your memories . . .
I just finished the book you love so much, Remarkable Creatures. I loved it! Saw the various references to other books and Mary Anning. I’m now curious to read those too!
Amy-I just finished the book also. I enjoyed it very much. Fossil hunting is very much like our shell hunting. They were looking for their monster and we are looking for the junonia. I’m glad we don’t have all the rules about dress etc. Very nice memorial. Pat
I just finished the book as well. I thought it was great. The title also fits perfectly with our little creatures that make shells their homes. I often found myself replacing the word “fossil” with “shell.” Good analogy, Pat, about the junonia search. I read Girl With the Pearl Earring many years ago for a book club and loved it.
Wow, Pam, who would have guessed that hiding under a cowboy hat and behind golden seawhip would make me memorable. It’s funny timing that you would have thought of me and my seawhip when only the evening before I had been trimming sprigs of seawhip. I was working on a flower arrangement for my Hawaiian sister. I started with a kitten’s paw carnation from She Sells Seashells in a greyish green budvase, and backed the carnation with purple seawhip to bring out the color of the kittens paws. A bit of ribbon around the neck of the vase, and some crushed shell from a hobby store in the vase to balance the weight of the bloom, and I had a natural work of art. I even made sure that there was a tiny winged oyster and a simnia hanging onto the seawhip. Thanks for the kind thoughts and the terrific video.
“Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind”. – Unknown. Lovely post Pam.
My heartfelt condolences to all on your loss {{{{HUGS}}}}
Pam, I discovered your blog last year when we were in Sanibel & have loved following it. It always makes me feel like I am right there on the beach with you discovering a new treasure! Now this video…the Chamber of Commerce should hire you to be their marketing director! I will enjoy watching it and reliving Sanibel Treasures in the future! We are lucky enough to be here this week& maybe when I am shelling I will look up and find you! You are one of Sanibel’s treasures!
PS we are from Va. Beach too!:)
Hi Pam – we are here for our 7th year,happy to say :) but are finding that because of the dredging at Blind Pass we cannot find the treasures we have in the past. Went there today and the shell pile no longer seems to exist… Any suggestions where the shells might be landing now? We went to Lighthouse beach last night and saw many spectacular live specimens but feel somewhat guilty taking any empty shells that could be potential homes for those wonderful creatures off of that beach. Here til May 3rd so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Janine