On your WHELK. Get CERITH. GO Shelling!
For the past 3 days, Southwest Florida has been peppered with high winds, rough and choppy seas in Gulf Of Mexico, rain showers and extreme tides. Thank goodness we didn’t get a direct hit from Tropical Depression #9 (now named Hurricane Hermine) on Wednesday, so it was safe to go scouring the island to find a huge shell pile that formed in the morning on the west end of Sanibel at Blind Pass that brought a few awesome treasures (top photo).
After picking through those treasures for a while, I couldn’t wait to see what was happening on the east end of Sanibel at Lighthouse Beach.
The gulf side was still too choppy but by the late afternoon the shells started piling up at the waters edge on the pier side of the lighthouse.
Then more rain and more high winds… then…. fast forward to this morning at Lighthouse beach near the fishing pier again…. Shellzam!
It was Shellmania! Shells started washing up on the beach but before they could even get on shore, we had a line of shellers sitting on the sand bar in the water having a spectacsheller time.
It was total shelltopia! We all became fast friends after all 5 of these HORSE CONCHS were found in less than an hour. We would hear screams of joy when someone pulled another empty one up out of the shallow water then we splashed over to see the next trophy- give a big hug then oooh and ahhh. Such a blast!
I found a HORSE CONCH too! It was very cool although it had lots of old barnacles and shell “crust” but since we have a few already at our house, I decided to gave it away in a “guess a number between 1 and 100” game with 9 other shellers. Congrats Andrea! haha So. Much. Fun.
Feeling the anticipation of what a Tropical Depression in the Gulf Of Mexico like Hermine (aka “#9”) will do to our beaches if there’s no threat of danger, makes all shellers feel giddy with excitement. If you’re an extreme sheller, this is what we wait for. It’s happiness.
While running the beaches the last 2 days, I met so many amazing people finding such awesome treasures. This is what makes the beach here so much fun- sharing the shelling love.
We also saw Captain John shelling with his family Katherine and Jack at Blind Pass. He was the new captain with Captiva Cruises who captained our last iLoveShelling Adventure . They just moved to Sanibel 2 months ago and looks like they’re already getting the hang of finding shells. Nice TULIP!
I haven’t even gotten a chance to hit all the beaches because we still have storm bands driving thunderstorms though our area. Please remember…. any time you hear thunder PLEASE be safe and get off the beach. It’s so easy these days to find a good radar weather app to be aware of storm bands coming through so you can be prepared. If you don’t have your smart phone with you, the sound of thunder is Mother Nature’s warning signal to be safe and take cover. The shells can wait… Mother Nature knows best.
More shell stories to come so stayed safe and stay tuned ;)
Until then, have a shell of a day!
PS- Hi Joey, I hope you got that little WHELK from your Gramma Sandy. ;)
I’m glad you’re safe. Some places in Florida really got pasted.
SHELLZAM is certainly appropriate! WOW…lots of loot. Just wish I had the use of a private jet to get me there in time to join y’all to scoop up some treasure! But, Pam, you allow us to live vicariously through your adventures. Thank you and Happy Shelling to all!
I am sitting here in Tulsa just wishing I was there!! Have fun all you lucky ones! 🐚 Stay safe too!
I am drooling in my recliner right now in Wisconsin. Keep us posted on all the great treasures from the sea. great to know everyone is safe in southern FL.
What great shell piles. Hope we find one like that when we are there. Those horse conchs are amazing. Hope Florida didn’t see too much damage from the storm. Was watching the Island Inn beach cam all week. See you on Oct. 10th.
those were some amazing finds – hope a few have washed up our way :)
Your blog entries are so entertaining & fun. Thanks for the Shelly good times!
Oh Pam, I’m dying here in Massachusetts! How exciting! I wish I was there! Happy for everyone’s find. (Okay, I’ll admit it, a little jealous, too😕). Keep us posted as days go by!
Thank you for posting these pictures! I’m in a shell withdrawal! Lol wish I could head south to Sanibel,bUT now we are in the path of Hermaine. Stay safe shellers!
Save some for me, I will be down in a week and a half! LOL
SO SHELLOUS, would love to be there, thrilled for everyone that is! The kind of shelling that makes your heart go pitter patter…
Pam!!! Awesome!! I found some unique shells myself!
Pam,
How long does the good shelling usually last after a storm? We were thinking of coming down in a few days if the shells would still be coming in. We were there last week, and there weren’t many shells on the beach!
Thanks,,
Melanie
Friday the 2nd and the morning of the 3rd I had much success at Lighthouse. Definitely Shellmania!! Can’t wait to ho through them all.
All I can say is WOW…beautiful. Live by Siesta Key and went to Turtle Beach but
could not find any shells that weren’t broke. Guess we should have drive to
Sanibel!! Hoping to take a Shell Cruise with you in the near future .
Hi , I get so ready to go shelling when I hear of your great stories. The wonderful treasures you have found. I will have to wait till march. I will be so ready. Thanks for the great pictures. Sandy
No way, Pam! I am droooooling over those Double Spiny Jewel Boxes!! I will send you a box filled with tissue paper and some $$ for you to pack them up and send them back to me. Seriously! That’s how much I am head over heals in love with them! (You think I’m kidding, don’t you?)