Happy Halloween!

Today is going to be a busy day, but I made sure I grabbed a little bit of time on the beach before the day started...

 Just walking along the beach in the morning means so much to me....as one lady told me this morning...."It's a Blessed Day".

Of course I had to wear my Halloween Garb, even if I am on the beach!

 I saw more live shells like these 2 moon snails

 Another lightning whelk, this guy had more than just his tip out...

 I did find one that wasn't live rolling in the surf!

as well as this key hole limpet....Our daughter Jess always finds these so I couldn't help but think of her with this one...

Hubby always picks up a turkey wing....so this one's for him!

The water was just clear and beautiful....You could see for miles!

A shelf had developed at the high tide line...I always wonder what is buried in there...

I spotted this guy.... a banded tulip...

But he wasn't all there....

I did find this Operculum (the trap door for a large whelk or Conch) He had to be a pretty big one for a door that large.

....I did find something I have never found before, does anyone know what shell this is? :)

After an hour and a half or so, it was time to head over and work with the Sanibel Shell ladies....such fun! I can't wait until I can make the beautiful things that they do! ....I'll save that for another post!

Stay tuned!

::Shelllady Hugs::

Home Again!

We arrived home again at our place in Ft. Myers.  I have to say, it feels more and more like home! I just love this place!

Of course, I had to head out to the beach first thing this morning...

It was just before sunset and a little past low tide, but it was close enough for the first time this trip! I instantly felt all warm and fuzzy inside!

The shelling was okay, but as I told a lady this morning, just being here to walk on the beach was perfect!

I had lots of company, these little guys (snowy plovers) escorted me most of the way...

Soon, these guys joined in on the morning walk...

Not sure if this is a plover or a Ruddy Turnstone...

A Willet

Pelican Squadron

 I love all the birds and activity first light in the morning....

As I said, the shelling was okay....

 Nice colors on this Apple Murex....

 A bright orange juvenile fighting conch made me look twice as I thought it might be a mini horse conch....

Notice all the tiny coquina pairs in the pic above, I grabbed up some of those also!

Today seemed to be the day to find these Sentis or ornate (?) scallops, notice one wing is larger than the other...

I really liked the color on this calico scallop!

The lightning whelks (live) were poking their snouts out along the surfline...

Here is what lies underneath the surface...

 Don't worry, he went right back where I got him... Hubby, Jess and I can tell you first hand, (or should I say foot), that these little snouts easily penetrate the bottom of your foot if you step on them, and you know instantly what it is!! So be careful and pay attention.

As I was walking back, I was thinking that it had been SO long since I had found an Alphabet cone....the guardian of the sea must have heard my thoughts, because not but a few steps further I found this little treasure rolling behind the surf line...

!! SCORE!!

A few more steps and found this guy too....

He was rough, so I sent him back....

Though pretty cloudy and a bit windy, the beach was such a welcome sight...

It never disappoints!!!

So stay tuned....I hope to have more adventures to share with you!

.....By the way....Christmas must be around the corner! I found these reindeer antlers as I was leaving the beach!! ;)

::Shelllady Hugs::