Finding a JUNONIA is always a sweet success but finding a teenie tiny juvie JUNONIA is (in my humble opinion) the best ever! My heart is so happy for shelling sistah “Diane From Tucson” because she is just about the sweetest thing put on this planet. Shellzam!
She found this special JUNONIA on the Sanibel side of Blind Pass down near that wood jetty that gets uncovered every once in a while. Congratshellations, Diane. Here she is looking for another one- heehee.
After hanging out with her for a while, I got the itch to see what was happening on the Captiva side of Blind Pass. Holy Cowrie! A huge shell pile was forming right before my eyes…
I’ve got so many photos but the best way to describe it is to show you in a video. Now, hang on… put your sea legs on and get your seasick patch secured because of course I was excited, overwhelmed and trying to shell while shooting this footage so I did the best I could to carry you along. You will see lots of things I missed so you might catch yourself yelling at me to pick them up… it’s ok. I understand and you can yell at me all you want because I did the same thing when I watched for the first time. There is another great WORMIE I missed. Ack! Anyway, Enjoy your time on the shell pile and I’ll show you more photos later.
This video gave me itchy, itchy fingers! I like to pause the video as I go! I would have plopped down and picked up all those beautiful scallops. I make trees out of them.
What a great video! Have you considered a Go PRO type camera so you can grab shells and video at the same time?
Beautiful video Pam!
Wow, Pam, what a great video! I’ve always wondered if anyone ever finds a baby Junonia and what they would look like. Cute!
Hi Pam, I found a whole junonia today also! It isn’t huge, only a bit over 2 inches, but it’s in great shape. This is thanks to you…your shelling tips told me just where to go. My very first visit here (from California) and my first day here, in fact my first five minutes looking for shells. It’s a long term dream come true and I’m still in thrilled shock. Many thanks for your great website.
Wow! Congratshellations to you too, Maureen! That’s amazing
Congratulations to you! It is so hard to describe the feeling. I feel like I won a Shell Lottery.
Maureen, that is amazing! It took me 12 annual trips to find my first junonia. That is purely awesome by you. What a great story. Enjoy!
Not fair – How come you get all the shells and I don’t get any???
Will make another attempt this weekend. So much construction going on we can’t get to a lot of the beaches and we don”t have 4 wheel drive.
Janet
Congratulations!! I had hoped to find a junonia while we were Florida this past month. Went shelling with Pam once, then 2 more trips back to Cayo Costa. But the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva are great also. My husband fished at Blind Pass and did some shelling. He found our first ever tulip and whelk. If anyone has a chance to go with Pam, by all means go.!!!!! Thanks Pam. I wish I had been along there looking with you folks.
Where is the best place near/on Sanibel to buy the shell sifter scoop? Any local stores you recommend?
looked like a fun time for shelling but if you used that shelling belt I got you it would be a lot easier — I think but that’s for you to find out. I really miss the beach but I might surprise you and show up soon -any way thanks for the video it gets my heart pumping really good job -r.g.syrin
R.g.! I’ve tried to get in touch- I love that belt! Please tell me where u got it???
pam I found it at a closeout place if I see another I get it for you and you can go on line to the company and see what they have it should be on the inside of the belt am I’m so glad you like it that made my day
r.g.- I looked online as soon as I got back from my trip and they don’t have another one like that. I don’t need another one (i love mine!) but I was going to show it on my blog and wanted the info before I posted it to alleviate all the questions. If it was closeout- they probably discontinued it- darn! thanks so much again for the awesome gift!
your very welcome it was my pleasure but i’ll still keep looking r.g.stein
Could someone puh-leeeeeeze tell me what this “shelling belt” is? I’m soooooooo curious!
Wow! I can’t imagine how exciting that would be.!!!! So happy for her!
Love that sweet sound of the rushing waves through the shells.
What a little CUTIE!
So happy to see the little darling!.
Nice to sea some scallops, I never can resist them especially the orange and purple.
I just love the videos Pam next best thing to being there! Shell on!!!!
ohhhh i can’t wait 4 weeks! Your videos are almost like actually being there…but not quite! Thanks, Pam!
Oh thank you so much for the shelling video, Pam! I always look forward to your videos and posts, especially in the wintertime. We have had a very cold (-12 night before last) and snowy winter here in Iowa and your videos and posts warm my heart! We can’t wait to get back to Sanibel! Again, thank you!
Thank you, Pam, for your sweet words and making me feel so special. I am not on Facebook but my shelling sistah, Shellotte, is and shared the comments. Thank you to everyone who took time to congratulate me. Gifts from the Sea come when you least expect them.
Diane,
What you said about winning the shell lottery is exactly how I feel also. I don’t know about you, but I keep getting the shell out and gazing at it just to make sure it is not a dream! We now share a Juno anniversary. Hope we cross shell-collecting paths someday.
Are certain months better for shelling than others on Sanibel Island? If so, what are they? Is shelling a year round activity there? Advice as to what months to plan a trip there would be appreciated. Thanks so much. I enjoy your info and videos.
I am not Pam, but maybe I can explain that shelling is both possible and fun all year long on Sanibel. But what you really want, in order to bring more good shells in, is storms with winds coming from the north or northwest. Collecting is usually good somewhere on the island a day or two after a storm has occurred. And winter usually has more storms. A storm might be just an overnight thing with rain and winds, not necessarily a big weather event.
However, if you are planning to come for just a few days or a few weeks, it is impossible to say whether or not there will be a storm while you are on Sanibel, or better yet, right before you arrive. That is totally unpredictable in advance, so, like so many aspects of shelling, it is totally the luck of the draw.
Thanks so much for your info.
Much appreciated.
Such a pretty little Junonia!