These are Super Sheller Clark’s prized possession seashells he found on our trip to Thailand… not one but two SPOTTED TUNS !
Within minutes of getting to the east side of Ao Nang in Krabi, he found these bad boys several feet away from each other high on the beach in the weed line.
We had seen broken pieces of them throughout our trip but were afraid we wouldn’t find them as a whole shell on the beach since they are so fragile. Wrong! They are in great shape!
I found out the word “tun” means wine jar or wine cask. This seems fitting because Clark looked like he wanted to throw a party right there on the beach and drink wine right out of these guys to shellebrate!
We got them home safely and I’ve already displayed them in a white washed wooden bowl with some other pieces we found on our trip.
I didnt want any other shells competing with Clark’s new babies so I chose to display them with some other sea life we found on the Thailand beaches. I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to bring CORAL back into the United States from other countries. I just learned that from Susan H who posted that on my last post– OOPS! Too late- sorry, CITES! Well, At least I feel good about not taking too much- only a few pieces from each beach…It was so hard to choose which pieces of CORAL we were going to bring home but this is what we ended up with…
These are the biggest OPERCULUMS (SHIVA SHELLS) I’ve ever seen! I would have loved to see the TURBAN shell that these came from. Geesh! The biggest one is 3 inches wide…
The first time I picked up one of these, I yelled to Clark… “I found the biggest stinkin JINGLE you’ve ever seen!”. Haha Then I realized what it was… a CAPIZ SHELL. I used to have trays and dishes made out of these shells. I’m sure you have seen these in some kind of home decor but it’s really cool to find them on the beach.
I threw in a few of the AUGERS (or TURRETS) we found to give my little display a different texture and balance (heehee) so Clark’s SPOTTED TUNS would have a beautiful resting place to be shown off.
Although this day of finding these two gorgeous shells on a beach Thailand will be a memorable day for both of us, I’d like to recognize this Memorial Day for remembering the men and women who died while serving to protect our country. As we traveled foreign lands just last week, I experienced peace in the world because of the bravery of our fallen heroes and those currently serving in our military. A toast from our TUNS to all who serve.
PS- I took back that Nikon J1. All of my photos are still with my trusty Panasonic.
AntKaybe says
That man is an intergalactic shell magnet. He would find a junonia on Mars if he could get there.
pam says
LOL it’s crazy, isn’t it? hahahaha
Linda from SW Michigan says
You composed a beautiful arrangement of the shells to highlight the prized Spotted Tuns– elegant yet simply beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your fantastic adventure.
Donnie says
Beautiful shells and Awesome memories…Happy Memorial Day!
Cindy Wise says
Happy Memorial Day and your display and shells are beautiful.
Lee Garrett says
Beautiful arrangement to show off those beauties.
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Tam Tam from Michigan says
I want to go shelling there…
Leah says
OMG … LOVE the tuns! So perfect. :-)
Carla says
Fabulous! I love all the corals with the little arms and the tuns are definitely drool worthy!
Johnnie Lorren says
You see these beautiful specimens in shell shops and tend to forget they REALLY DO EXIST in nature!!! How lucky/blessed you were to find these treasures. JL
Meghan says
What beautiful finds! They look gorgeous in your arrangement!
MurexKen says
Beautiful shells. Clark has an eye for beautiful things.
Susan H says
The tuns are fantastically gorgeous. Fancy finding two of them at once! I agree with AntKaybe, Clark could find beautiful shells on other planets!
And the great big operculums are lovely too. I wonder if they are from Turbo marmoratus, the great green turbo shell?
pam says
We looked up the Marmoratus… funny thing is, I found little shells that I think are Dolphin shells which look like juries of these. I’ll show them soon- so many shells, so little time ;)
jill n says
Thanks for keeping the Panasonic! Pics are great!
mary jo shannon says
Ooooh aaahhhh!!! Just beautiful! :D
Cindy from MN says
What was your best shell find, Pam? Hope no one comes to confiscate your coral treasures ;-) Love your tribute to the troops — God bless America!!!
pam says
Cindy from MN, …..hmmmmm, I’m not sure I have a favorite or one spectacular shell that I found that I covet more than the others. They are all magnificent to me (I know that sounds corndoggie but it’s true). I rarely race to the beach with my nose to the grind to find the best shell (but the day I did that, I found my junonia- lol) Don’t get me wrong, I love a competition and I do like to find spectacular shells but most days when my feet hit the beach (especially on vacation), I have to stop to take it ALL in. I can’t help it. I stop and I look at EVERYTHING- the shells, the water color and clarity, the scenery, the birds, the wildlife, the bling and the people. I’ve got Super Sheller Clark to sniff out all the best shells on the beach like a bloodhound so I can enjoy seeing and finding everything else AND to be able to share it… AND have it displayed in my house.
Carla Knotts says
Congrats on the be-aut i-ful Tuns Clark !!! WOW , am I ever drooling !!! So glad you 2 had a wonderful trip ! Yes I can now say I’ve started a bucket list , hummm wonder what is #1 … LOL !!! Thanks Pam for sharing !
Christa says
No other words but WOW!
Sherri Bode says
Exactly, so beautiful!! Would love to go there!!! Sherri from MN
Sue says
WHat an amazing find!! I have never seen anything like them…absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the simple white washed look you used to display….sets them off beautifully!
Connie says
Wow soooo pretty…..
Candy Derrick-Houston says
Complete perfection! These shells show the intricate details of God’s amazing handiwork on this earth. How lovely He made the homes for sea creatures and those abandoned homes are prized treasures for us. :)
You are so thoughtful to bring praise to our troops today, also. I hope your day was blessed in every way! Get some rest. :)
vicki h. says
Amen, Candy! Well spoken.
Bird says
Spectacular tun shells–love the contrast with the creamy white coral and operculums!
Sanibelle says
Wowwee Gadzooks! Great shells! Are the tuns like figs in fragility, or more so? I didnt’ realize Thailand was a shelling mecca. Cool stuff.
Joash says
That’s so impressive! Haha, I have been looking at your blog everyday ever since your last post, waiting for your next post and it worthwhile! Thanks for sharing your photos and wonderful shell display, the tuns really stand out! :)
Joash says
Btw, how’s the shell i.d.ing so far? :)
pam says
I’ve given up i.d.ing for now. It’s too much to take in while I go through photos I already have (instead of properly photographing shells to send out for ids). So I will revisit the ids and just go with the common names of the species until I have research time and time to properly photograph the shells.. there are so many! Thanks Joash. The ones you have ided are such a huge help!!!
Joash says
Haha :) No problem! :)
Joash says
Haha :) No problem! Glad to help :)
Karen Mosher says
Very cool shells…beautiful display!!
Mary Ann says
A dream vacation. How many pounds of shells did you send back? I would have filled a fedex plane. Maybe you could display some of those beauties at the next shell show which I am planning on going to next year.
Joash says
Hey Pam, I have managed to identify the cones! Yes, so here it is :)
#3 – Conus quercinus (similar looking species: Conus parius)
#6 – Conus zandbergei (similar looking species: Conus pica)
Actually, I managed to identify them from this blog that is amazing.
http://www.conchology.be/?t=77&search=CONIDAE – INDO-PACIFIC&shells=on
:) Its really comprehensive so I guess its worth taking a look. :)
pam says
Oh. My. Gosh. Joash. The link is incredible! Thank You!! I’ll look through to see what ours are too!
Sani-Belle Val says
Thanks for taking us to Thailand, Pam…what beautiful shells and gorgeous scenery. Love your display with Clark’s Spotted Tuns!
Lisa says
Hi Pam,
You might have mentioned this in the past and I missed it. Can you tell me where you went in Thailand and where you stayed. I would love more details of your itinerary!
Nancy in Canada says
Holy smokes, just researching shells again on your blog. I have 2 of the shiva shell operculums! One is just a button size and the other is about 1.5″ across on Ko Phi Phi I wondered how a shell could get worn down like that but you have solved the mystery. Thanks so much. We are coming to your area Feb. 1-3 2014 and eagerly look forward to finding even one treasure.