We are Spending the New Year in Paradise!

Hubby and I decided to 'run-away' for the new year this year! We had a great Christmas with family. As I'm sure it is for you it's always pretty hectic for me, so we felt like we needed some 'Down South' time. Warm days and beach walks just sounded like the thing to do.  Imagine my surprise when I got up before dawn this morning for the very first day of shelling and it was 55 and windy.  I know that doesn't sound cold, and it wouldn't have to me compared to home in Virginia, but it felt very cold, especially when I was expecting upper 60s and low 70s first thing in the morning.  We have been watching the days in the 80s for several weeks now. Surprise!! But that also means North winds, which means the shells will be coming... So I threw on my water shoes, a sweatshirt, (tomorrow I will also have on gloves), grabbed my flashlight and away I went to my favorite place in the whole world! Sanibel Island.

(I have to apologize for these first few pics, it was dark and I was using a flashlight, and obviously couldn't see very well) But the very first thing I saw was another HUGE horse conch buried in the sand...

 (Out of focus, but you can see the top edge just to the right of the cone....)

Right next to it was a nice little Florida Cone, just waiting to come home with me

I left the horse conch for someone else to take home, maybe next time for me.

The tides were the lowest I have seen them in a very long time, and I was picking up mini shells from the very start...sometimes 3 or 4 at a time.

on theleft is a Banded Tulip, top is a Nutmeg and bottom is a Sharks Eye

left is a Chestnut Turban, top is a Drill and right is an Apple Murex

Top left is another Shark's eye, then a tiny Lightning Whelk, a small Dosina pair and another colorful small Lightning Whelk

It was pretty dark when I arrived...

Pretty quickly it began to get lighter and I could see that the sandbar was completely out of the water!

and Viola....a little Alphabet Cone was waiting there just for me!

What a great way to start the day...

The nutmegs were very plentiful today...I think I came home with 6, including this monster...never seen one so big, though not perfect, he went in my shell bag...

My Dad must have been there with me because I came home with 7 perfect Shark's eye...

Including one that looked like an Albino, complete with a pink eye!

You can see how much of the beach was exposed, 

it would be very easy to miss something special if you don't take your time and study....I tend to get over anxious and try to cover lots of ground, and I know I miss something!

I did see this nice Angel Wing, nestled up with this Cockle trying to get warm! SCORE!

...I found this pretty Gaudy Nautica...

Jewel Box pair...

...and Pear Whelk

and managed to find 3 Sand Dollars that were not live....a fellow Shellinator gave me this pretty pink Sea Urchin....

There was lots of life out there today, Many Many live Sand Dollars a few were barely peeking out, but most were hiding under the sand...

Lots of live Millipede Sea Stars....

...and these unusual looking Orbs....not sure what they are, kind of look like they might be in the Sea Squirt family, but they are different and very pretty...

I will try to research it and get back to you!! 

Stay tuned!!

::Shelllady Hugs::

The Last Day

Now that I am back home with 50 degree days and 40 degree nights, I just had to post my final walk in paradise on Saturday.  I decided I wanted to see one more beautiful sunrise, so I hit the beach early.

The shelling wasn't fantastic....but the beach always is. Once again I had an escort! :)

How awesome is this? This lone dolphin was slowly swimming along the shore, I actually heard him blowing air before I saw him! I missed the perfect picture, just before this he brought his tail out.

There was so much to see, and I took so many pictures I trimmed it down quite a bit...there were pics of the 'typical' sights like both sides of this Atlantic Giant Cockle

I actually saw two of these Lightning Whelks sporting tassels!

Such a beautiful, calming beach...PERFECT therapy for whatever ails you!

There were lots and lots of shells

I found this huge Lace Murex...yes he went home with me! :)

This Calico Crab was alive and blowing bubbles as the surf bumped him in his face...

How HUGE is this Sand Dollar half? Can you imagine it whole?

It's been a long time since I have found a perfect Top Shell...

And of course, I had to take home my Daddy's favorite, a Shark's eye, with a beautiful 'Paul Newman's eye...

And for Jess this Keyhole Limpet went in my bag...

And for Brad, this cute little nutmeg joined the group...

This trip has been one of the most relaxing and enjoyable trips I have had, nothing like the therapy that these beaches provide! I hope you have enjoyed walking with me as much as I have enjoyed bring them to you!

One final look as I head back to the car... Ahhhh Beautiful!

I still have a few more posts coming up so stay tuned! 

::Shelllady Hugs::

A Relaxing Veterans Day

I decided to try the afternoon tides again, it wasn't very low, but the walk was amazing as usual! The water again was very clear, honestly I can't think of one thing negative to say about this place or the weather!

I saw this guy running around under the surf in water a little over knee deep, and couldn't resist the opportunity for a photo op! It's a hermit crab in a Pear Whelk!

The shell is covered with all kinds of things, including barnacles and carrier shells, click on the pic to enlarge it and check out his eyes! 

I think I could have filled my bag up with Fighting Conchs! I was picking them up by the handful! 

Some, of course were pretty beaten up, but there were tons that were just beautiful.  I, of course, already have too many, but I couldn't resist digging around them to see what else was with them.

You could see them partially buried through the clear water...

I found this bright orange Banded tulip....

And this tiny little perfect Horse Conch...

On the walk back, I found this beautiful Gaudy Nautica... (sorry, the incoming wave in the background took the focus away!) ...

...and this Nutmeg for my son-in-law Brad.

UPDATE: I finally got the Large Horse Conchs cleaned up... It turns out that Hubby's Horse Conch was an Albino! How cool is that? It has a little bit of color near the tip...

I think this has been a GREAT trip for Horse Conchs, don't you?

All shapes, sizes and colors.

Stay tuned, I have a few more posts that I guess I will make after we get home, today is our last day. :(  

It's been such a wonderful and relaxing trip, I believe November is my favorite time of year here, the weather has been perfect, every single day!

Stay tuned...

::Shelllady Hugs::