Finally! Tidal Pool Shelling!

I went out early again last night, and what a beautiful walk it was! The Gulf is beginning to clear from the storms, you can almost see into the surf. 

As I headed down the beach, I saw this little beauty peeking through the sand...can you tell what it is?

That's right! A Lace Murex...

There are still lots of life moving around out there....which is just Awesome, I love seeing it all!

This live Lightning Whelk was splashing around in the surf, so I took him out to the deep water after his photo op...

 This is a live Millipede Sea Star....

And check out this BEAUTIFUL live True Tulip...

I couldn't pass on the chance of getting a photo of these 2 live sea urchins, and the tiny sea star, they are chillin' out in a pen shell...

This Osprey was taking a bath in the Gulf! First time I have ever seen that!

The highlight for me is that the tidal pools are returning! They had disappeared during winter storms this year. My most favorite type of shelling is in the tidal pool, it's almost like meditation, you walk along very slowly, not splashing or disturbing the sand so you can see what is down there, it takes quite a bit of concentration...the bestest therapy!

Once again, I walked further down the beach than I should have....but I was meditating and studying! Here are just some of my finds for this evening...

A Gaudy Nautica...

 I'll never pass up Shark's eyes....

If you click and make this picture bigger, you can see into the bottom of the tidal pool, when shelling in the tidal pool, you have to be very still, and study....do you see it?? I circled it in the middle of the penshells....

 SCORE!!! Finally, a Beautiful Alphabet Cone! I almost did a dance right there in the middle of the tidal pool!

I found several Double Jewel boxes...

 Just a few inches over from the Alphabet, I saw this guy.....PLEASE be empty...It's one of my favorites!

SCORE #2 It was empty, and quickly slipped into my bag with my other treasures!

 I did also find a live one, I carefully put him back into the pool to grow up and multiply! :)

I couldn't believe that I found this HUGE Angel Wing in the tidal pool, near where a lot of children were playing....Notice he fixed himself at some point, I've always been impressed with how these animals can do that! I went home with 2 more angel wings tonight!

A sweet little Baby's Ear...

 Another score....this Horse Conch was empty also!

 I love the color of this Top Shell....

 Check out this Mini Lace Murex, with the neon pink tip...he joined the rest in my bag!

How about this 'Giraffe Inspired' Chestnut Turban??

 Is this the smallest most perfect Nutmeg you have seen?

I was lucky enough to find several different size True Tulips tonight also, this guy nearly glowed in the dark, as it was getting dusk...I needed to head back!

Love the color of this Paper fig!

I walked too far, and stayed too late...but I just couldn't stop....so tired, but so much fun finding all these awesome treasures!

It got dark, pretty quickly, and I high-tailed it to the car, the last little bit was pretty dark, but it was Oh so worth it!

Stay tuned, only a couple more shelling trips left, low tide is right after dark, so I anticipate coming home in the dark again! ;)

Check out the video below of the Huge Horse Conch heading from the Tidal pool to the Gulf...moving right along!!

::Shelllady Hugs::