There are many beaches to explore in Southwest Florida to observe a variety of wildlife and find great shells, but it’s always a fun to make a trip to Bunche Beach in Fort Myers at low tide to roam the mud flats.
Seriously, it’s like an Easter egg hunt out there at a low tide zig zagging through the muddy sand as you walk up on to flash of pink to find gorgeous SUNRAY VENUSES with both valves still held together.
So as you can see by my photos, these “mudflats” aren’t really muddy dirt made of soil but they’re actually sandy tidal areas meeting with mangrove forests and many different grass beds. When the tide recedes, we get to see lots of other natural occurrences as well … like spotting the unmistakeable colors and pattern of a half buried empty LIGHTNING WHELK shell.
And like a itty bitty empty SHARKS EYE shell.
Among hundreds of live healthy KINGS CROWNS, I found this one empty fabshellous beauty.
Such a fun trip with friends Ada, Ann and Kathy to take a quick trip just off Sanibel.
PS- Not sure if you heard- on August 16, National Geographic published an article online by the very talented journalist Gillian Kendall with the title…. “10 Reasons to Visit Fort Myers and Sanibel, Florida”. It’s a beautiful piece featuring our beaches, islands, wildlife, fishing and…. errrrr…. and then there’s #2…. A Shellebrity. Oh Holy Cowrie! I’m still a little shell shocked! LOL But I’m so incredibly honored and honestly, oh I don’t know… a little embarrassed? Anyway…. it’s an awesome article and I guess it’s taken me a few weeks to post it since I feel a little… oh, I don’t know. It’s craziness!!! (blush, blush)
Oh… and PS again – If it turns out well, I’ll show you photos of my new and improved Shellaboratory I’m remodeling. I’m painting seashells on the concrete floor while we wait for the big storm in the gulf to bring us real shells! Here’s a sneak preview …
Congrats, Pam!!! We are very PROUD of you!!!! That is quite an honor and so well deserved!
So sweet Peggy- thank you!
Congrats Pam! It’s so funny to see your shelling terms all over the internet shell world! Nat Geo is a big deal! Which beaches are looking prime for picking after the storm goes by?
Thank Melanie! I’ll be running the beaches tomorrow – i never know until I get there and see for myself. It’s like the antishellpation is half of the fun :)
What a great article. Congratulations! We are booked on your I Love Shelling cruise on Oct. 10. Looking forward to meeting you. I am so excited, I can hardly wait to be back on Sanibel Island.
Awesome Tammi! Can’t wait to meet you too :)
Always wondered about Bunche. Now it will go on my list of beaches to shell when we come net time! Loved your post and pics of those gorgeous finds. What fun!
Oh! And can’t wait to see your shel laboratory remodel!
Thanks Christine! It’s crazy how excited I am – especially about my shells on the floor ;)
I will be arriving on Sanibel Sunday afternoon. Please leave some shells from the storm for me!
On Sanibel this week and thought about going to the Bunche Beach talk tonight. I could’ve met you, Pam. Darn! Guess I spent too much time at the Blind Pass shell pile in the rain😉
Well, congats on the great article!!
Thanks April! Maybe I’ll see ya out there
Oh Pam it’s awesome you are in National Geographic…wow and congrats!! ANd….can’t wait to see your updated shellabratory…I can’t imagine anything better than it is…it’s quite a masterpiece!! Hope to see you on one of your trips in October!!
And Captain Brian too! Love the shell art for the floor! Looking forward to more examples.
Yes!!! And Captain Brian too!!! So awesome
Greetings Pam….! We’re on Sanibel as I type this.
Congrats on your fantastic honor. WOW…Nat Geo!
Yes, I too am waiting for the shells these storms will be bringing! Since I wasn’t able to catch a Shelling Cruise with you on this trip, perhaps I’ll see on the beach! So excited, last night before sunset and between storms I found Sea Pearls and a Turkey Wing!!! Shellzammm! Now to find some Wentletraps…my next goal, right after meeting you on the beach!
Is the Shellabratory open to visitors???
You always make me so excited to visit!! Can’t wait to hopefully meet you October as we are shelling!!
those are so pretty – bet you can’t wait for the storm to come and pass and see what washes up :)
Found the article in National Geo, but didn’t see any pictures? If some, please point me in the right direction.
I love telling people “I know her!” and showing them your pictures and articles.
Hope to see you in December. Hugs.
Congratulations Pam! You certainly deserve all the accolades for all of your hard work and tireless devotion to educate the world about Shelling and Sanibel. I understand about feeling embarrassed, but don’t. You truly deserve it. Well done!
P.S. Looking forward to seeing the new and improved Shellaboratory. I’m sure it’s amazing!
Nice story on Sanibel and on you Pam
Congratulations on the great article, Pam. It’s wonderful! I was able to book a spot on the January 16 Cayo Costa trip. Can’t wait to see you! I hope that everyone stays safe through the storm, and then enjoys the shelling that’s bound to follow. Looking forward to seeing your finds. And I’m SO EXCITED about the Shellaboratory – that will help me to cope as summer winds to a close. Thank you! Gail Carr, Maryland
Awesome I’ll see you in January!
Stay safe…
We were down there in April of 2015, and went on one of your shelling cruises, and met you. Had allot of fun, and want to come back, hopefully in the early spring of 2018.