I found a fist full of dollars at Gulfside City Park Beach this weekend. SAND DOLLARS, that is.
The evening low tide revealed live and dead SAND DOLLARS (CLICK HERE to see the difference between live and dead SAND DOLLARS)… but the coolest thing was to see all of the other living creatures we don’t get to see often. Look at this awesome live SHARKS EYE. Cool!
This is a live pear whelk…
You wanna guess what live MOLLUSK this next photo is? It came out of a hole in the sand then made a trail along the sand bar. It’s long and white.
Here’s another photo… I’ll let you think about it then I’ll tell you at the end of this post.
Look at this beautiful flowering purple SEA ANEMONE. Gorgeous!
Since we had two nice low tides each day this weekend (one at sunrise and one at sunset), I even got out to Lighthouse Beach at sunrise (I know, that’s unlike me! haha) to see thousands of live FIGHTING CONCHS invading the beach.
Most were alive but there were a few empties scattered on the beach…
It’s always overwhelming to see so many…
Among the live creatures, there were a few empty gifts from the sea as well. Gorgeous BANDED TULIP.
Awesome orange CHESTNUT TURBAN…
And lots of other empty gems I found half buried in the sand to reveal their gorgeous selves.
Oh and the live MOLLUSK pictured above with the trail? It’s a BABYS EAR! Cool, huh? To see more LIVE BABYS EARS… CLICK HERE
Join me on a iLoveShelling Shelling Adventure! CLICK HERE for dates…
Wow. Beautiful live creatures! Love that crazy baby’s ear!
Oh my gosh, what beautiful shells!!! It’s just amazing how gorgeous the beaches on Sanibel can be with all of those wonderful treasures and your photos capture it all beautifully!
Love it!
Hard to believe that’s what baby’s ears look like alive
Love to see photos of shells, especially those live in the water. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Pam, If the sand dollar is off white and doesn’t have any hairs on the edges does that mean it’s not alive? In looking at your posts and the link you referenced they must usually be “gray” in color with hairs on the edges to be alive??? Thank you.
wow a baby’s ear I would not have guessed that but then I’m learning from the best pam and clark the shells look great and that makes for fun in the sun and shelling is the best way to do that–thanx for the post your friend r.g.stein
Lovely sand dollars! I was in Sanibel two days ago and I was shelling on the beaches nearer to the lighthouse. There were a ton of empty bubble shells and I was wondering why? Thanks so much.
I want to be there!!! I so miss shelling! I just need someone to put me up for a month or so….lol Thanks for sharing the beauties!! Love ya’
Omg! Were they OK? I usually put the stranded live ones back in the water, but I don’t know if I could have helped all of these guys!
WHAT?????? That’s a baby’s ear? Like so many other things at the beach Pam, we don’t know what we are seeing until we learn from you!
Sue & Ken, I couldn’t have said it any better myself to thank Pam from the bottom of my shell bucket !!
Amazed, as always at her knowledge and generosity :)
Shellotte
I just love the photos of the sunrise and the purple sea anemone. I always look forward to seeing your emails! Thanks for always sharing.
Pam, where is the shell part of that baby’s ear?
Once again, I wouldn’t have a clue if it wasn’t for you Pam. Thank you!
I love to see the sand dollars. With all of the years that I have been shelling on Sanibel, I have yet to find a whole one that was not alive. Somehow I must always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. lol. I guess that is what makes the hunt so much fun. Someday…….
Pam, thanks so much for the pictures. I have been to Sanibel the past few years and absolutely love it there. My sister has been going there for a few years.
I enjoy your stories and pictures. My question to you is, out of all the places you have traveled to, which was your favorite for shelling? My sister and I are wanting to plan a “trip of a lifetime”. Any suggestions and advice will be welcomed.
Any suggestions??
I’m trying to send a great photo, but I’m not that great with technology!! I’ve got a teeny tiny olive shell against a penny & the shell isn’t even as big as the date on the penny! Seriously. The Google+ link gives me an Error page. I am so sure your jaw will drop when you see this shell. How can I get this to you?https://plus.google.com/b/108901516256371855471/+Iloveshelling/posts/p/pub
Any suggestions??
don’t know why that didn’t go through… try this one (fingers crossed!)… https://www.google.com/+Iloveshelling
Any luck? What did you think of the teeny tiny olive photo??
Pam, when are going to list summer dates for your shelling cruises? My hubby and I are coming down from Illinois the last 2 weeks of July and really want to join you on one. Can you believe it, we had 6 inches of snow 2 days ago!! Makes me want to move to Florida..
I’m so excited to be there in a week to find those awesome shells! Horse conchs, alphabet cones, tulips, chestnut turbans and wentletraps are at the top of my list. Can’t wait for next week’s cruise, either!
im so sorry you guys! every time i try to schedule shelling cruises for the summer, something gets in the way. thank you thank you for being interested- i will try to get dates down pat soon!
I hate to ask again, but…Did my teeny tiny olive pic ever make it’s way to you?
Yes, Laura! Im so sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. It was hard to tell by the picture but i think it was a little rice olive and some other little tiny shells. Some sweet shells! Its amazing how small some of the shells are.
I finally did it. I posted the teeny weeny olive pic on Google +. At least I think so!
Hi Pam,
I see the last scheduled shelling trip is May 26th. Is that the last of them for awhile or will you come out with a new schedule for the next few months? I’d like to go on a shelling venture and I’d like to bring my sister but she’s a teacher and works until the end of May. Anyway, if you could just let me know if you’ll have a new schedule posted soon or not. Thanks, Kaye.
Yes! I will post the schedule in monday! I am just waiting for one more date approval and then I will post. So sorry it’s taken so long