We’ve had a nice cold snap that brought in some great lines of shells this week just in time for our iLoveShelling beach combing adventure to Cayo Costa island with Captiva Cruises.
Okay, I know…. I should actually say “chilly snap” instead of “cold snap” since it was in the 60s but with the wind and being in the boat, it feels great to break out the jackets in Florida. So we bundled up and hit the beach just like twin sisters Debbi, Darlene from MA who found SUNRAY VENUSES, ANGEL WINGS, an ALPHABET CONE and lots of other treasures.
Those were the same favorites that Pam and Mark from Baltimore found too.
Joe, Liliana (NY) and Tim (Michigan) filled their shells buckets to stock up on some fun with art projects for the winter.
I love days when there are lots of BEACH BLING that washes up on the shore as well… so lucky! A CRUCIFIX SHELL.
We even found a live SEA CUCUMBER washed up on the beach so we snapped a photo then returned it to the water.
I got soooo tickled with this next group of shellers from Pennsylvania… Stephen, Kathy, Phyllis and Dennis. Every step of the way, these guys were smiling and laughing with every stoop- y’all are so much fun! And congrats on your “concrete” find, Dennis. heehee
I wish I could have shown you all the cool stuff Stephen found but the SHARKS EYE, BANDED TULIP, OLIVES and SUNRAY VENUS were so striking. Of course that fact that he picked up a BUTTERCUP, you gotta like this guy (Clark loves BUTTERCUPS so Im a little partial to them). He had found the little olive (on his wrist) on a previous trip to Sanibel so Kathy made that bracelet for him. I love that!
It was a wonderful day to be chillin’ with so many cool shellers and find out we have mutual friends. Jim Tony, Bert and Lois say “Hi” to Diana for me! ;)
Well, some of my photos didn’t turn out so well but I still wanted to show you that there are so many different and unusual things to find … from COFFEE MELAMPUS to MORTONS EGG COCKLES to SEA PEARLS to JINGLES to TULIPS to OLIVES.
This is exactly what makes shelling so much fun.
You can tell by seeing everybody all wrapped up on the way back to Captiva having a little Shell N Tell like Marie from Michigan.
Its always so much fun to see the treasures.
Its always such a treat to see Sue Bunkin whom I met on the beach years and years ago along with her beautiful family. Sue has spread the shelling love down through the generations of her family and now out to her girlfriends Mary, (Sue), Helen and Karen. 
It was so much fun to meet Mary and Karen (Lakeland, FL) when they showed me their favorite shells they found – OLIVES and TULIPS… while Karen told me that my blog and videos have helped her teach Marine Science to her students. Wow! I’m so honored I could help share the love and wonder of the beach and sea creatures with her class. Thank you Mary and Karen, that makes me verrrrry happy.
You can also see happiness in the face of Michelle from Denver after she showed me her 2 incredible double VENUS SUNRAYS. These beautiful gifts from the sea will be perfect reminders just how special a day out on the water and exploring a new beach really is.
As always, each passenger on this and all iLoveShelling cruises received a $25 gift certificate from Congress Jewelers (formerly Sealife By Congress) to use in their store. Thank you Congress Jewelers for being so generous with the iLoveShelling community!
Join me on another iLoveShelling adventure CLICK HERE
PS- In the first photo, are WORM SHELLS, FALSE ANGEL WING, BABYS EARS, LETTERED OLIVE, LIGHTNING WHELK and ROSE PETAL TELLIN found by Diane from Tucson on our trip (she didn’t want her photograph again- heehee)
Looks like a banner day for shelling! The Sea Cucumber looks awesome. Love seeing some pictures of shells I’ve never seen before!
Such a pretty shell assemblage in the first picture! And such nice sunray venus shells in the last picture!
Looks like so much fun. Can’t wait to get there!!! I’ll take 60 degrees — 9 degrees here yesterday 😎
We are in this week from Michigan. Visited Lovers Key State Park yesterday and got 64 empty fighting conks, boat loads of olives, welks and sea urchins all in perfect condition!!!
The Crucifix shell is very interesting-actually a catfish bone-I learned something new today. I am coming back to Sanibel for another visit but have never been there in Feb. Can you tell me what the temperature of the water will be like? Is it too cold to get wet? Here in Panama City the water is chilly this time of year.
Shelling Sister Susan
Pam, the North Cap Coconut Telegraph says that you scored a junonia at Blind Pass yesterday. Congrats!
Haha Gina!!! yes, well it’s a piece of a Junonia and a really pretty piece at that- I’ll show a pic on my next post. That coconut telegraph is a powerful Shellecommunication piece. ;)
Hi Pam, looking forward to meeting you on Thursday Jan 21 for a cruise to Big Hickery Island. Coming from frosty South Dakota. This will be, I think, the eighth visit my sister and I have made to Sanibel. We try to make it every two years. I am hoping to find a big – not broken – Sunray Venus!
Those intact Venus Sunrays are gorgeous!!
Hi Pam, Kathy, Phyllis, Dennis and I had a fantastic time meeting you and shelling on the Cayo Costa cruise! Found more mini Olives (perfect for Kathy’s bracelets). Looking forward to a shelling cruise to Hickory Island in the future! Our 7th grandchild, Oliver, born while we were shelling on Sanibel. Already putting together a shell box from Cayo Costa/Sanibel for Oliver. Blessed Shelling! Steven from PA
Pam! What are the little “rattles” in the crucifix shells? Gracie had one roll onto her hand as she shook the bones! They are really pretty.
Love you!!
Cherry