My New Years Reshellution is to NEVER say “There’s not much on the beach today” when I see only crushed broken shells in the water, wash line or on the beach like this…
Clark and I decided to visit the east end of Sanibel late yesterday afternoon near Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach. I felt like it had been so long since we visited our “old” fave beach so we just wanted to take a nice long walk and revisit this part of the island to see if any shell piles had formed. After walking a while without finding any nice size MUREXES, OLIVES, WHELKS or CONCHS, I spotted a huge TURTLE sand sculpture that tickled my funny bone. I said “Oh look how cute this sand turtle is, Clark! It looks like it may be the best thing we find tonight”.
A few minutes later, we hit a miniature shell honey hole with WENTLETRAPS, BUBBLES, DRILLS, MUREXES, WHELKS, OLIVES and CONCHS. It wasn’t a shell mountain like the one at Blind Pass this past week (and I think its still there!) but I felt like I hit gold.
It was fun to share this little mini heaven with locals Beth and Jim and to see them get just as excited about finding tiny LIMPETS as Clark and I do.
How could I ever think that “There’s not much on the beach” when hidden in pockets of tidal lines in the sand … there are magnificent beauties like this…
Oh… and did you see the lunar halo LAST NIGHT? Omigosh! It was awesome- thank you Alicia for letting me know to look up at the night sky!
That’s a mighty nice turkey wing you have there! Happy New Year, Pam, Clark and fuzzy babies!
Sometimes it’s just a matter of perspective…right? Seems like as a new sheller I always on the hunt for the “big one”. You introduced me and other followers of your blog that sometimes it’s in the details, as the saying goes, and look for those “coffee grounds” and low and behold there you will find a treasure trove of minis and for me finding them is just as or more fulfilling that getting that “big one”! Thanks you for reminding us that there is always something positive to look for…not only shelling but in life as well!
Happy New Year Pam and Clark!!!
Were you finding all of those lovelies on West Gulf? The beach curve looks SO familiar. :)
Tiny shells are the best; at least that’s what I think. :) Life’s small pleasures are always there if we take the time to look for them.
Oh Pam, how I love getting your blog every day!! I have been to Sanibel two times and loved it. I have been shelling for 46 of my 66 years. I never get tired of it!HAppy New Year to you and Clark
The shells you found for this post are the kinds of shells I’ve only found in the form of conchs, olives, scallops, kittens paws & turkey wings..with a few augers & whelks and one murex & one teeny tiny banded tulip. So what you found today would be an awesome find for someone like me! But I do love to see the humongous shells that you’re used to finding and I dream I can find shells like that some day! That’s why I love your blog–I’m living vicariously through you, Pam! Keep on shelling!
Hi! I’m headed to Maui again to plein aire paint and do some awesome shelling! There are a few secret honey holes that require a bit of hiking, but usually there are some winter waves that push beauties up through the sand. Shelling in the Hawaiian islands can be a lot of fun, but the tides are very quick there…so bring the water gear to enjoy the surf afterwards!
I’ll keep you posted with photos when I can.
Alohashellebration! Ellen
Happy, Healthy Prosperous Shellisous New Year Pam and Clark,
Thank you so much for a lovely day at the beach. The minis are so adorable, if it weren’t for you Pam, I would never know who to look for the wentles and bubble shells. Ah I had such a great time shelling with you last Shellabaloo. I am looking forward to coming down possibly in early Feb for a few days to do some shelling, hopefully I will run into you.
Warmest regard
Malgorzata
That is such an awesome “turtle” photo with ( I think) Clark in the background probably smoking a cigar:-) How in the world did you get that “moon” shot? Four of us with assorted smartphones and cameras couldn’t get one that could capture it! You rock Pam!
Happy New Year to you and Gail. I told Pam that it was OK to give you our phone #.
On Honeymoon Island yesterday – looking for minis to finish an art project –
found broken paper fig, tulip, worms, augers, moon, kitten’s paw, olives, scallops, angel wing, worn murex with hole, coquina, sunray venus, chestnut turban (too many) juvie conchs. Small but just what I needed. Part of the beach is closed for construction. Contemplating going to Sanibel tomorrow.
Happy New Year Pam to You and Clark
Thank You for your website and all your wonderful posts and pictures !
We who can not be there in person truely appreciate You so very very Much
More than You will ever know
Thank you
Happy New Year Pam to You and Clark
Thank You for your website and all your wonderful posts and pictures !
We who can not be there in person truely appreciate You so very very Much
More than You will ever know
Thank you
If I can’t be there in person at least I can join you visually and in spirit.
Happy New Year….Janet
Happy New Year Pam, Clark, Rusty and Dusty…….. I will continue watching for your blogs to keep which keeps me focused on positive thoughts. I hope you picked up the tiny wentletrap in the fourth photo, tucked in the sand to the right of your little finger. Roy and I have planned our Sanibel vacation time already.. Can’t wait. Have a Happy…Healthy Year L-O-R-E-E
Thanks, loree, went back to look and I see three on the right and one on the left. Why can’t I do that for real?
I just found your website and I am thrilled!!! My husband and I live on Marco Island. I always loved the beach and shelling, but since moving to Marco 4 years ago, I am full blown shell crazy!!!! Shelling is a passion and it is so nice to know that there are others out there that are as crazy for shells as I am. I have many gorgeous shells, but my “best find” was a Coffebean Trivia that I found on Marco back in October 2014!!! Thankfully I inherited my father’s eagle eyes, although at 62 they aren’t as ” eagle” without my glasses…..but I can still spot the smallest of shells!
Keep on Shelling and Happy 2015!!
It’s so funny–last week while I was sitting on small shell piles, finding all kinds of small treasures, I heard people around me saying that the shelling wasn’t very good. I just smiled as I kept sifting and digging. I, too, hope for the beautiful large shells to roll up at my feet. On this trip, there were many of those–and they were all live. Each time, I admit I had a quick pang of disappointment, then the gratitude that these wonderful creatures are healthy and continuing the life cycle that brings those shells to us eventually, when the time is right.
This sounds so obvious, but I have to remind myself on each visit–concentrate on enjoying and learning from the shells that ARE there, instead of thinking about the ones I might be wishing for.
Happy New Year to all–happy shelling in 2015!
There was another lunar halo again last night!
omigosh! i missed that one! so glad you saw it. the sky is really “ringing” in the new year, isn’t it? :)
We are at Madeira Beach, and the past couple weeks we’ve been here, there have been A TON of gorgeously designed “butterfly” shells (coquinas?). To the point where a walk on the beach is barely that, for all the stooping and “Look at this pretty one!”s.
I think it’s the best I’ve ever seen in my 31 years of coming here….. bright yellows, blues, purples, orange stripes, reds, rainbows, they are fantastic!!!!