The Last Adventure, For Now

As I sit here at my laptop, it is 42 degrees outside, I already miss Sanibel, Ft. Myers and the beach and the Team Cheri Adventures! I will have to live through this post with the rest of you!

We started out before sunrise to be there at the lowest low tide, signs of life were all over the beach.

The first thing I saw was this live Olive plowing through the sand, check out that sharp point and beautiful color!

 This Sea Anemones was enjoying a small tidal pool....

This Calico Scallop was chattering away until I shined the light on him....notice all of his eyes around the edges of the shell...

There was a beautiful wine red Brittle Star, I have never seen one this color!

I was still in search of the perfect Alphabet Cone, I keep finding these guys instead...a little old and tired! But 95% of it is the hunt, right?!

I did find this Florida Cone hiding in the sand..

I found this King's Crown...

 and I think this is my first good True Tulip this trip!

Cheri found this absolutely perfect Winged Oyster...so barnacles or carrier shells..this was a GREAT find!

She also found this AWESOME True Tulip, check out the bands on this amazing guy!

There were a lot of live sea Urchins out this time, in the tidal pools and on the beach...

Lots of pen shells and 'stuff' all up and down the beach...

 ...as far as you could see!

Another first for me was this LIVE Nutmeg that Cheri found! Look at the coloring and 'beading' on this guy! We actually questioned if it was actually a Nutmeg at first, but I searched it on Google and I believe it is!

We certainly found where the True Tulips were, Cheri found 2 more, these are her favorite shells!

And she went home with a beautiful Baby's Ear...

I love these little guys....Cheri has a real knack for finding them...a Pygmy Octopus....

I found this tiny little Nutmeg too, what good color, right?!

I could have stayed out there for hours, but I had volunteered to help the Shellcrafters out at the Community House, so I had to call this final Adventure short! So much fun...Team Cheri had some awesome adventures, with promises of more when we get back in a few weeks! I came home with some great treasures....

I couldn't resist snapping a few final pics on the causeway as I said goodbye, for now, to beautiful Sanibel Island....

I will be back soon!

::Shelllady Hugs::

Night Time Low Tides

There will only be one more shelling adventure before I have to say goodbye to my Ft. Myers home and beautiful Sanibel Island. We will be back pretty soon, but I miss it already! Cheri and I headed out this morning early and the shelling was pretty slow at first...we finally started seeing some life out there in the dark...
How about this pose? A huge Live Florida Horse Conch...

 ...and his little brother....

Lots of live Fighting Conchs, Banded Tulips...

 Lighting Whelks...

 And these HUGE BEAUTIFUL True Tulips...Look at the beautiful colors!

We even found a live Paper Fig...

 This is a live Thorny Starfish... (I had to hit the books again!)

We then started picking up little treasures that weren't live, Cheri found this Atlantic Pearl Oyster...first one I have seen!

I started finding the Shark's Eyes...

I found this nice Pear Whelk,

And so many Live Cockles!

Cheri found a BEAUTIFUL Pear Whelk also!

There were SO MANY nice Lightning Whelks, and Fighting Conchs of all sizes and colors! So many in fact, we just had to quit picking them up!!

 I found this nice perfect small Angel Wing,

Cheri found one two...look how big this one is!!

Then we started finding the small shells, like this beautiful tiny Lace Murex,

A tiny Horse Conch with a tiny hermit crab!

These small True Tulips...so glad to see these, we haven't found many True Tulips this trip!

Cheri found this tiny Winged Oyster....

On this AMAZING Sea Whip...

There were crabs of all types and sizes also... I had to hit the books again for this tiny little guy, I think he is called a Rock Mithrax, don't quote me on this one, but I think that's right!

 This Stone Crab was ready for battle.... (see video below)

I spotted a little Pygmy Octopus, do you see him hidden among those shells?

Cheri found this Massive Saw tooth Pen Shell...have never seen one that big!

One of my favorite shells of the day was this awesome Horse Conch Cheri found, and gave to me!!! Perfect size and color!

We had such a beautiful day...

I'd say it was a pretty bountiful day, wouldn't you?!!

One more adventure, Stay tuned! 

::Shelllady Hugs::