Feature Shell of the day

It seems lately like shelling everyday is so different, and each day there seems to be one or two types of shells that are abundant. Kind of like the Featured shell of the day....As I posted on Sunday, it was Banded tulips. Monday the feature Shell(s) of the day was Scallops, both sides, still connected.

and my goodness there were so many Paper figs!!!

I already have so many, so I passed on them this time, but it was very difficult!!

I went back to the tidal pools and saw lots of life...like this Thorny Starfish....

 and so many Live Lightning Whelks

And the Piece de resistance....This gorgeous True Tulip....

Look how Big he is!!!!...and YES he was alive, so I put him back in the tidal pool to live on and multiply!

Right next to this awesome Tulip was this Big Lightning Whelk with this HUGE Hermit crab in it. I'm going to call him Sebastian....

He was perusing the tidal pool. These guys fascinate me....

I did manage to find a few things to take home...ANOTHER Horse Conch....my favorite size... There is a small Florida Cone hidden beside him.

I also found a mini one, in a very rich orange!

And more Banded Tulips and a nice sized Apple Murex in the center....

Who could resist this beautiful Gaudy Nautica, I love these, especially when they have such rich colors...

Of course I have to show you the beautiful Sunrise.....

Today I headed to Blind Pass, I got there right as the sun rose, unfortunately because of the angle of the beach, I couldn't see the sunrise. I am still learning how and where to shell at Blind Pass....there have been so many changes lately due to the beach renourishment and the Storms, specifically Hurricane Irma. 

The first thing I saw was Sand art!!!! How awesome is this?....

 Look closely....right next to the front door is this Awesome Orange Flat Scallop...no I didn't take it, but I was tempted!! I did look closely and it is not complete, but the color is awesome!

Today's feature shell was Olives....SOOOO many Olives. I am not a huge fan of them, but I am collecting them for a friend of mine, Sheila.  Hubby and I fondly call them 'Sheila Shells'...I got a bunch for her today, all sizes and colors!!

 Yet another Olive and a pretty Lace Murex....

I also found a pretty little Rose Tellin...

 a Painted Egg Cockle...

An unusual bright orangey-red perfect Scallop

and a 'freaky' Orange Turban, and another Small Horse Conch....

and on the way back to the car, I found this Alphabet Cone....very light colors, but I'll take it!

It was a beautiful day, with lots and lots of Birds...like these two Snowy Egrets....the one on the stump has a fish, and the other clearly wanted it...this battle lasted for quite a while!

If you look closely, you can see a Cow nose ray along the edge of this drop off..... I saw many of these guys this morning.

There were also Millions of Minnows swimming out there....the birds were having a feast the entire time I was there!

<<Update>> For those of you not on Facebook, I wanted to update you on my Medium sized Horse Conch from the other day....Remember him?  Here is the BEFORE Cleaning....

 And here is the AFTER..... Isn't he a BEAUTY, I think he has become my Favorite Shell of all time....

One more shelling day, then I head back home... :(   

Stay Tuned.

::Shelllady Hugs::