Something Different

The Gulf has been so rough since I got here, and the wind has been howling. I decided to try something different this time. I have been reading on facebook that Turner Beach, has had a shell pile this week. I have never been there when there was one, so I decided to do something different and check it out... 

 There was certainly a shell pile...I sat at the top and sifted through for a bit and came on the beach side....the waves were splashing in and washing it slowly back into the gulf.  I never did find anything special, I have become a bit of a shell snob since I have so many shells, but people were walking away with their bags full! 

Once again I decided to do something else different. I have never shelled Captiva at all so I went for a walk down the beach.

The first thing I noticed was that the sand was much darker than I was used to on the Sanibel beaches. The shells I found seemed very colorful. The first thing I found was something I have not found on the West Coast before....a beautiful Bittersweet!

Right behind that I found a Painted Egg Cockle....

Orange was the color of the day, everything seemed brighter!

Scallops, Coquina, a tiny Olive, small Turban and a Jingle 

A baby Horse Conch

Worm shell tip, Kitten paw pairs, Auger, Scallop and bright orange Jingle.

I walked down a ways, and decided to try on the Sanibel Side, so came back across the bridge to the beach... There were lots of shells washed up on the beach there as well...

Found nothing special on that side, so I made my way back toward the car, deciding to catch the sunset on this Hazy day.

This Frigate bird was soaring overhead, seeing what was going on....

The tide was high, and it was splashing on the rocks along Turner beach...the Gulf is definitely angry these days!

The other side of the bridge looked nice and calm....though there was a thunderstorm looming overhead!

Looking down at the Gulf from above the rocks...

Though not very bright on this hazy day, the Sunset was beautiful, and subtle...

Another day of colorful minis....

...a few shells closer to my collection for the Sailors Valentine....it will take me a long time to get all I think I will need, but I'm up for it!! ;)

Stay Tuned!

::Shelllady Hugs::

Windy Mini Day!

I have been thinking a lot about making a Sailor's Valentine (explanation at the bottom of this post) with shells I have found, want to avoid buying any shells if possible.  I realize it's a tall order, but that's my goal anyway...so I need to find all the minis I can.  So today was going to be mini day.  I noticed while I was crossing the Causeway onto Sanibel that it appeared that the bay side of the Lighthouse was somewhat protected from the wind, so I thought I would start there.  I realize the tides are not right, but it's still worth a look, right?!...and I ALWAYS need some Beach Therapy!

I wasn't there but a couple of minutes when I saw this guy, high up on the beach...a tiny Lace Murex

That's a good start! ....with the wind so strong, and tides so high, I figured it would be tough to find the tiny minis, but in just a few minutes I had several small ones...

Coquina pair, Shark's eye, coral, small olive, Dosinia, and bubbles

Tiny worm shell, shark's eyes, Top Shell, Drill, coquina pair, oyster drill, keyhole limpet and jingles

Of course I couldn't resist the opportunity of a postcard photo op....

I didn't have much luck with the micro minis, but was a lovely walk anyway....

I had another miss with an Alphabet cone....merely a piece...

and I couldn't resist picking up another Lace Murex...

I love the Baby's ears too!

and I ALWAYS have to take a picture of my favorite lighthouse! :)

I stopped on my way home on the causeway for the sunset....

Another perfect day in Florida!!

Stay Tuned!

::Shelllady Hugs::

PS...for those of you that don't know what a Sailor's Valentine is...

A sailor's valentine is a form of shellcraft, a type of mostly antique souvenir, or sentimental gift made using large numbers of small seashells. These were originally made between 1830 and 1890, and they were designed to be brought home from a sailor's voyage at sea and given to the sailor's loved one or loved ones.^[1] Sailor valentines are typically octagonal, glass fronted, hinged wooden boxes ranging from 8 to 20 inches (20 to 51 cm) in width, displaying intricate symmetrical designs composed entirely of small sea shells of various colors glued onto a backing. Patterns often feature a centerpiece such as a compass rose or a heart design, hence the name, and in some cases the small shells are used to spell out a motto or sentimental message.

Just a couple of examples: 

Windy Days!

I'm back home in Ft. Myers for a little while, Hubby has already been down here a week.  I stayed back in Virginia to spend some quality time with family for Mother's Day, so I flew in a couple of days ago.

The tides aren't great, but I just had to take an evening walk along the beach for a little therapy, and boy was the wind howling! The pictures never really show well, but believe me, the sand would sting at the upper beach it was blowing so hard!

There were a lot of ordinary shells all over the beach, and several 'shelves' where the waves had eroded away the sand, apparently these waves have been going for some time.

 This shelf was about 10 inches high...

I didn't expect to find much, I just truly enjoy the walk and the sights at the beach...

I did happen up on an area where the waves were tossing around a few shells, it took a little patience, so you could look between waves and see a few shells, as the sand was washing in and out...

I did manage to pick up a few little things...

From top: Lace Murex, Juvenile Fighting Conch, Lightning Whelk, Button Shell

The inside of a Jewel Box

Outside of the Jewel box

Not much, but that's okay with me....I just need the therapy.  Stay tuned, the tides will be getting better early next week, and I hope to be out there getting my beach therapy every day!! I would be glad to bring you along!

::Shelllady Hugs::