I missed going out for the first negative low tide due to storms...boy I was disappointed! So last night I went extra early to make up time. It was a beautiful evening, cloudy, light breeze and cool, a perfect evening for some strolling and beach therapy. I noticed right away that there was a lot of area to cover and the storm had washed the surf all the way up the beach, almost to the grass line. I found this nice sized live Double Jewelbox first thing, and tossed him way back down in the Gulf.
The water was still pretty murky and had lots of sea grass and stuff in it, so you couldn't see in the water, except between waves. Scooping would bring in lots of 'stuff' that was difficult to clean out of the net. It is still good therapy to me!
There were lots of places where shells had gotten covered by the sand, and the surf was slowly washing them out with each passing wave...
...and there was all kind of sealife, on the beach and floating in the water... There were dozens of these neon green sea squirts (I believe), every size you could imagine, some were washing in and out, some up on the beach and some like this guy...
Lots and Lots of Live Lightning Whelks...
Including this beautiful one with the lavender inside!!
Sea Urchins of every size and color...
I found 2 nice Live Kings Crowns, I haven't seen those on this beach in a really long time....
Lots and Lots of these Live Cockle shells all over the beach....
I did find 3 whole Angel Wings, which is fairly unusual.... as well as several pieces....
And I always take it as a message from my Dad when I find his favorite....Shark's eye (or Moon Snail)...he's watching!! <3
This one I found next to this little Turkey Wing
What made this especially awesome, was as I bent down and pulled this....not too bad Alphabet cone out of the sand...
A lady reached down next to it and started to pick up a Lightning Whelk, but mentioned she thought it was alive, so left it....I picked it up and showed her it wasn't live, and showed her one that was buried, letting her know that "these are the live ones" . She and her Husband were very excited! We talked for a long time, and continued down the beach, I found her so many shells, and they asked so many questions, and were just over the top excited about all of it!! We must have shelled together for over an hour, continuing down the beach. Such fun to see the enthusiasm they both had for all things beachy! Before I knew it I was a long away from home! Luckily we reached where they were staying, and I realized I better head back or I wouldn't make it before dark! It really was so nice to see someone so interested in everything. They left and said they hoped to see me again tonight, and I told them I would be there! For some unknown reason I am addicted to Lightning Whelks, usually I cannot pass them up, so I've started making excuses as to why I keep them! :) The excuse for this guy is the pretty Coral colored point he has....
This guy's excuse is the pretty gold color.....
This one is that it has such nice Dark colors.....
You could see so many things floating around in the waves all along the beach, It was difficult to catch a picture, because you see them for just a second as the waves recede...the pictures just don't do it justice.
So many colorful things, that I shouldn't keep, but I did...
Banded tulip, True Tulip, Jingle and Apple Murex
This was a pretty Nutmeg I couldn't resist...
and another couple of Apple Murex,
One tiny....
It amazes me how you seem to find such fragile shells still intact after a storm, like the Angel wings and this Paper Fig...
And I found 3 dead Sand dollars in perfect shape.
The night ended with a beautiful sunset that I caught a glimpse of over the trees...
I so enjoyed the walk, and the therapy....More tomorrow....Stay tuned!
::Shelllady Hugs::
PS.... I never can resist grabbing a video of these live scallops, they are so fun!
...and I grabbed this one for some new shelling friends, to bring them some Sanibel beach therapy while they are not here....enjoy!
I haven't been able to go out for any beach therapy in the last couple of days, spent all day Monday at the Shellcrafters, which was a large amount of fun! We are working on our golf cart for the July 4th parade. I have homework! :) The tides are beginning to get low in the evening now, was to be 0.0, but I wasn't sure if it would be able to get low due to the continued strong winds...
So I went back to where I was familiar...Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island.
It was even blowing these Ibis feathers all over the place!
It was a nice low tide, but the water was rough and sandy, so all shells had to be taken between waves or on the beach. That's okay, the wind keeps the noseeums from biting and keeps it feeling cool. There were a lot of Coquina out, haven't seen them live in a really long time...
I saw at least half a dozen Lightning whelk 'tails' sticking up through the sand...
...and saw this live cockle chillin' out along the surf...
Up until today, I haven't seen much live, so this was quite a welcome sight. The winter storms have changed the coastline quite a bit, and basically eliminated the tidal pools, which is my favorite type of shelling. It looks like the tidal pools are trying to reform....
...and look what was laying in the tidal pool....do you see it?
Sure enough...a big horse conch!
It was huge, I looked at it for a while, debated rather I wanted to take it home...and decided to leave it for someone else...the point wasn't in great shape, though the color looked pretty good....I already have several so I thought I would turn it over and leave it for someone else to find..... This couple picked it up and talked about it....I could guess the conversation...."Wow! We should take it! Where will we put it? How will we get it cleaned up, How will we get it home?" They decided not to take it...
I kept an eye on it for a long time, and no one else saw it, so it stayed put. I have always said that I didn't like slipper shells, the reason is because they have so many different colors, they always look like something else! Like this....see the spots? Spots mean, Alphabet Cone or possible Junonia if they are larger spots....
Nope! Another Slipper! There were tons of Fighting Conchs, I left those for someone else also, I already have too many....
I couldn't resist this perfect large Apple Murex, though I have too many of them also....
Or this pretty Pear Whelk....
I did leave this Banded Tulip for someone else to find....
A first for me was this live Auger....Put him back into the Gulf after his photo op...
I did find a few minis for my collection along the edge of the new forming tidal pools...Kittens paws, Jingles, an Olive, tiny Tulip & Fighting Conch, and Scallops.
A handful more Fighting Conchs and a Carrier Shell (bottom pic)! Took the Carrier shell home with me....
I can never resist the tiny Horse Conchs... (Sorry the pic is out of focus)
Or a beautiful little Shark's eye... ;)
I walked much further than I intended and the walk back wore me out! The sand was semi-soft and my feet were sinking with each step....a good workout!!
On my way back, I met this couple! Notice in his right hand?! SCORE....he took home the huge Horse Conch! ;)
The surf continues to roll..... I love this place....such GREAT Therapy!
