low tide during Sanibel sunset

If you were outside last night in Southwest Florida, you were lucky to witness a gorgeous cool evening that started with colorful overcast September summer sky …

seashells on the beach at dusk

At Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel, there were scattered lines of common white CLAM and SCALLOP shells on the beach and in the surf… but… it was hard to look any further after seeing hundreds of MOON JELLYFISH (Aurelia aurita).

moon jelly fish Sanibel

It was a little creepy to see so many in the water and washing up on the beach since I’ve been stung before (CLICK HERE) but after the initial shock of seeing the MOON JELLY masses and remembering this one doesn’t sting humans, it was so cool to stop and see really how beautiful they are.

Moon jelly fish in Sanibel surf Aurelia aurita

Then I looked up at the sky when I turned the corner to see the Sanibel Pier.

Sunset at low tide over Sanibel pier

I found just a few minis (a few BUBBLES, juvie CONCHS, juvie OLIVES and one TINTED CANTHARUS) and as I looked up again the sky changed to lavender…

Purple sky behind drift wood branch

Then it changed to a deeper purple…

Purple Sky over Sanibel Pier

Then to orange…Yellow Sky over Sanibel Pier

Although I didn’t collect many shells… the evening was magical with a feast for the eyes.

Sanibel pier at sunset

Sanibel lighthouse at sunset