Seashells Open Your Eyes
By
The other day, shelling sistah Tricia G asked me if I’ve ever found a MARGINELLA on Sanibel since I don’t have one listed on the SEASHELL IDENTIFICATION page. I’ve found them before but, come to think about it, I sure haven’t found one in a long time. So last night, we headed for the lighthouse because I was on the hunt for that sneaky MARGINELLA. To double my chances, I reminded Super Sheller Clark that I wanted to find one to add to the I.D. page so I told him to be on the lookout too.
Marginella
Yippee! I found one!….. er…..well…. Clark found it. He was scooping at the surf line when all the sudden I hear him laugh. “Look what I found”.
Marginellas and a broken dove
Then he found another one! And then yes, I found that little one on the right. Whew- I wasn’t completely out-shelled. Keep in mind, the biggest one is just shy of 1/2 inch and they sort of look like a BUBBLE if the aperture side is down so they aren’t easy to find. I found the broken one on the left too so I added it to the photo since I thought it was the same shell.
Marginella and Dove? aperture
Dang it! That shell on the left really doesn’t even look like a MARGINELLA at all since it has those teeth on the lip. I couldn’t even see those teeth until I took the picture and looked at it on the computer. In the last few years I can’t even look at my phone or a menu without holding them as far as my arms will extend. You know what I mean? Ha! Geez. Oh well, I’ve been fortunate so far with my eyes so I shouldn’t complain….. it’s just weird…. I’m just sayin. 
Alright, back to the shell…. I think the broken shell on the far left is a DOVE shell just by what’s left of it but I could be wrong (I gotta get back to trusting my own eyes again- yikes!). It’s not like I can where “readers” on the beach…. maybe? ….. nahhhh.
Brown banded wentletrap
I didn’t need glasses to spot this BROWN-BAND WENTLETRAP though. Love that color running through it!
Brown banded wentletrap aperture
Nancy from Seashell Wreaths by Nancy reminded me that the name WENTLETRAP is derived from a Dutch word meaning spiral staircase.
Wentletrap staircases
We were on the mini shell hunt so we ran across lots of the BUBBLE shells…. appropriately named as well….
Bubble shells
We found lots of AUGERS which again, look like their name…
Augers
So how about SHARP-RIB DRILL? That flat rib or blade off the sides is pretty sharp, huh?
Sharp-rib Drills
Now this is getting funny! I didn’t plan on dissecting common names of shells tonight but it’s kind of fun, right? So let’s look at the KEYHOLE LIMPET…..
Keyhole Limpet
….and the BUTTON shell….
Button shell
This CONE shell certainly looks like an ice cream cone….
Dusky Cone
But I’m not sure that this RICE OLIVE shell looks like an olive but it sure looks like rice…
Rice Olive
Picture this next shell on top of Barbie’s doll head… yep, it’s a TURBAN. Again, I just thought this shell was pretty and knobby. I didn’t realize it had a hole in it and the barnacles attached…the eyes are going! Oh well, it’s still pretty.
Chestnut Turban
We had our eyes (failing or not) focused on finding a special miniature shell by looking for the particular pattern of a MARGINELLA and we found it. We shell this beach on the east end of Sanibel regularly but we’ve probably walked right by hundreds of them just because we have been focused on other patterns of shells that we see on a regular basis. i Love Shelling. I really do because it opens my eyes to see beautiful things that I normally would never appreciate.
Our Sanibel lighthouse shells last night
Snowy Egret
Sanibel pier sunset
Again and again, your shells are very nice and your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
BTW, I find the Olivellas a difficult family to ID. On the BMSM website, there are three Olivellas listed for Sanibel Island: Olivella lactea, Olivella pusilla and Olivella perplexa. Of these, your “Rice Olive” appears to be most consistent with the Olivella lactea, http://shellmuseum.org/shells/shelldetails.cfm?id=103 and/or http://www.gastropods.com/7/Shell_11617.shtml and/or http://www.jaxshells.org/leeol42.htm As shown in the several pictures, the color of this small shell varies greatly. Why the Common Rice Olive, Olivella floralia, http://www.gastropods.com/3/Shell_2133.shtml is not listed on the BMSM website is beyond me. Here is one explanation, http://z14.invisionfree.com/Conchologist_Forum/index.php?showtopic=1071 However, one does not need to determine their correct name to appreciate how pretty these little shells are.
Thanks MK!
Love the little banded tulip, and the snowy egret. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful shells,Beautiful pictures.Thank you for taking me with you to the beach today (by way of the computer!!)
I love that Brown Banded Wentletrap…I haven’t found one yet but always looking. I know what you mean about your vision…I am in denial as to mine…lol
Great pics as usual.
Awesome! Hmmmm, now I’ll have to come up with another shelling “quest” for you, since this one was much too easy for you and Clark! LOL, thanks for posting these great shell photos Pam.
The brown banded wentel trap is beautiful. As you, I overlooked shells like these. Now I know to keep my eyes open for alot more.
Pam, can you recommend a shelling trip on Marco Island? We have already tried Sweet Liberty we are looking for something diffrent this summer. What about Marco Island Sea Excursions or Off the Hook Adventures?
Where have you gone on Marco island for shelling?
Ive
Ive, I’m so sorry- I don’t know much about Marco shelling excursions. I have been there on our own boat just island hopping but not on a tour. I’ve heard Tigertail Beach can be pretty good but it’s a long walk out on the island. I wish I could be more help….maybe someone else can answer?
Pam, thanks for replying. How about at Barefoot beach which area is good for shelling?
Take a look at http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2011/02/23/a-barefoot-beach-morning/
Thank you!
Thanks for the info-didn’t know some of the shells names yet. Beautiful sunset pic as well.
Ah, I was just talking about Marginellas! (Yes, I often talk about shells at home. My patient husband understands my slight obsession!) I found some when we went to Myrtle Beach once, but on our last trip to Sanibel I didn’t find any… though it’s definitely possible I overlooked them for bigger goodies at the time.
We’ll be getting to Sanibel on Saturday evening, cannot wait! The extended forecast is looking a little stormy for next week, but we’re hoping to catch some serious sun and of course, lots of shells in the process!
Wonderful seashells, and the Brown Banded Wenteltrap looks soooo nice!!! Wonderful pics also, thanks for sharing, Pam! Tomorrow I’m on my way to Florida, can’t wait to come back to your beautiful Islands and the Gulf Coast, the seashells, Key Lime Pie and Pink Lemonade, Pelicans, sun and fun and much more!!!
Greetings from Germany, Jutta
What a wonderful group of shells today. Thanks for the interesting lesson.
You are just too much fun, Miss Pam. You made my day!
BTW — you can get reading glasses really cheap at a dollar store. That way, if they fall off your face into the surf, well, you haven’t lost much except for a dollar. Keep on truckin’…
That brown banded wentletrap looks like that chocolate candy that comes in the shape of shells. It is usually in those same colors.
Guess I’m hungry. Love those little shells.
Lee
Pam, I had to smile reading today’s post! Made me think you might be sipping a nice glass of wine as you lamented your issues with vision! Wine makes all things bearable! Loved the shell pics as well as the beautiful egret and awesome sunset. Can’t wait for a return trip to your paradise!!!
I was all breathless when I saw the brown banded wentletrap (and yes I’m a little jealous
) but that egret, Pam, that’s a beautiful picture.
Sigh. Beautiful pictures as always.
ps – I recently looked at reader sunglasses at CVS. I know I need to, but I can’t do it yet….
Just do it!! Reader sunglasses are terrific! I have been wearing them for a couple years. I found mine at a shop at the end of Periwinkle. I am very thankful that I can use the glasses to see the beautiful shells so much better!! Have fun shelling! Cant wait til we are there in July!
Mary Jo – was that at Sun Catchers you found the reader sunglasses. Maybe if I could find some that didn’t look like my dads old Foster Grants, I could do it.
I love the egret and the pier shot. Keep ‘em coming!
Love the pics as always -you take such lovely ones-so dreamy beautiful -sigh.
I agree with above-the brown banded looks like candy to me too !
All you who are bound for the area – i hope you have a lovely trip and great weather! 
~Serena
I’ve been wondering about my own beach vision – as I had to switch from single vision correction to progressive lenses (fancy and expensive way to say a trifocal vision correction) -since they are so expensive I wish I had you ladies reader glasses problem – ha!