Tip-toeing thru the Tulips

 I went out to Sanibel early this morning to catch the negative low tides, and possibly find some treasures.  It was beautiful out there before sunrise, ...calm, sliver of a crescent moon and Billions of stars! Lots of life out there that was uncovered as the tide was out....

So many live Scallops....they were "chattering" all over the place...I love these guys, they just seem Happy! (I took a video of one, but it was out of focus! Will try again!)

This little Octopus was trying to hide by this Cockle shell....I love these guys!

I saw several Angel Wings out there too!

But the tulips...Oh my! There were so many Banded-Tulips (which I don't pick up anymore as I have so many!) But....there were also a few True Tulips, which are very close to a favorite, I can't pass by them!

While I was down there picking up the tulip, I figured I'd grab this Gaudy Nautica... :)

My most favorite type of shelling is in tidal pools, you see so many interesting things in them. You have to walk slowly and look carefully as to not stir up the sand so you can't see! It just makes you slow down and pay attention...No better therapy for me!  Sanibel's tidal pools have been coming and going, but usually, during a nice low tide, you might find one! I was lucky enough to do that this morning...and a few interesting things...mostly Live! ;)

This morning, I was standing in the tidal pool and took the next 5 pictures without taking a step... a Sea Star hug...

A Live Sea Urchin....they 'hide' under shells that are actually stuck to their spines...I assume they pick them up!

A Sea Anemone.....

A cute little Spider Crab....

...and a Blue Crab....

I try not to pick up Lightning Whelks, I love them, but I have SO many...this one looked pretty interesting, so I had to look at it! Surprise!

A grumpy Hermit had already claimed this one!

These sea Anemone are always so pretty to me....flowing with the water...

As I was looking at all these pretties the sun began to lighten up the sky....doesn't that make you just say "Ahhhhhhh?"

Low spots in the tidal pool tend to make things congregate...you have to look really closely in these areas...Dosinia, Sea Urchins etc....and there may be lots of treasures hidden in there!!!

Like this!

A beautiful Orange True Tulip....

I ran into several of these groups and missed the first peek of day....but I did catch it soon afterward....

I'm not sure what is going on here....do Sea Stars eat Cockles? I don't think so, but these guys obviously wanted this shell!

....and a couple more treasures!

a Kings Crown with nice color!

....and another True Tulip...of a different color!

It was a beautiful Morning!!!! Awesome therapy!

So, what do I do when I'm not on the beach? Like most of you, I stay home a lot, I paint shells to hide and I do go to Shellcrafters every Monday when I'm here, and Usually I make shell Trees, and they've recently asked me to paint some Sand dollars, which I have done. Yesterday I started a project that is a first for me... I decided to really step outside my comfort zone, and try something I had seen on the internet.....Making sea life scenes...all out of shells....you know, crabs, fish... 

I guess I forgot to take pics of the fish as I went along, and I made too many for this one project. I will have to take pictures and post them later.

 To avoid making this post too long...I'll just show you in pictures ...and few words, how this came together!

A simple styrofoam ball, cut in half, glued to a shallow bowl...

Now add the critters 2 fish and a crab...and maybe a little flower to finish it off.... The front...

...and the back!

I think it's finished! I'll have to decide, and get input next week at Shellcrafters....I've got all kinds of ideas I want to try! Very time consuming...but another great therapy...and of course... SHELLS! 

Stay Tuned!

::Shelllady Hugs::