15 Inch Horse Conch and Cabrit’s Murex
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Kelly's 15 inch horse conch ..... Photo by Linda
Conch-A-Bunga!!! That’s a humongous HORSE CONCH!
I just got this note from Kelly…..
“Hi Pam, I found this 15 inch FL horse conch recently at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin and 2 minutes later while jumping for joy my friend Linda found a 10 inch one. It was high times at low tide for sure. Kelly”
Linda's 10 inch horse conch ..... Photo by Kelly
OMG- What a day!!! I’m sure they are still celebrating. Congratulations on TWO awesome finds and thank you for sharing. HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK
And that’s not all, folks! My friend Sherrill found a CABRIT’S MUREX at Blind Pass yesterday. Wowee!
Cabrit's Murex photo by Sherrill
This is a pretty rare shell to find on our islands (it’s still not on the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum website) especially since it still has some of those fabulous spines still intact. This is gorgeous! Don’t you think? Congratulations!
Cabrit's Murex 2 photo by Sherrill
Sherrill’s words about her new treasure-
“……couldn’t believe how fragile it is… almost like a paper fig in thickness, and it looked like it was made of spun sugar! Nature is absolutely amazing. I can’t believe it survived crashing waves and tons of people walking on that pile of shells.“
Isn’t our Creator awesome ~
OMG is right! The same thing happened to my friend and me a couple years ago on Sanibel by the Island Inn. The tide was coming back in and Sue and I were walking in the water about 4 feet from the shore. Sue felt something a bump in the sand under her feet and dug up a 10″ horse conch. About 10 minutes later I also felt something under my feet and dug up a 12″ horse conch! I can remember it like it was yesterday! The web sight says it all- I LOVE SHELLING!
WOW that’s beautiful…very lucky girl!
What a beautiful murex! And lucky shellers, all!
OMG!! I’m green with envy!!
Hi Pam,
I’m so proud – That’s my little sister Kelly. You met her daughters with me @ GSCP (see Shark’s teeth) What a beautiful find!
Karen from Englewood
Where on Honeymoon Island were you ? What part was the photograph
taken ? Great shells !
When I shell Honeymoon I drive as far north as I can go & park. Then start walking north to the most northern tip of the island. That’s where the magic happens.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/default.cfm
We always park at the northern parking lot. From there north you can find olives, tulips, whelks, scotch bonnet, nutmeg, horse conchs, fighting conchs and much more. Always go at low tide. I don’t like to walk to the very end. Its about 1 mile each way and I dont find much. These were found at mile marker 1 3/4. We were just standing at the waters edge enjoying the sunset and the water receded for just a second ant there it was.
I have to confess…when I saw the first picture (from my I phone) I thought Linda was holding a small dog (a yorkie)…man that is a “Big One”!!!
Oops..I meant the picture of Kelly
Oh my goodness! Here is my boss holding her famous find – I can’t believe it.
And lucky me…I get to see this shell every day at work because she keeps it on the desk behind me!! Good job Kelly and Linda
How far is Honeymoon Island from Sanibel? Is it too far for a day trip?
I haven’t been there but I would think you might have to include a night’s stay. It looks like about 3 hours then a ferry (?)….. but I wouldnt want to rush my shelling. I supposed you could do it in a day if you are an early riser and don’t mind getting back late…maybe that would work!
Actually, it is about a 3 hour drive. No tolls or ferry. I live here in Dunedin so email me for info if you like.
sanibelstooper@yahoo.com