Archive for Carrier Shell
Another Sanibel Cyber Shelling Adventure
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I found that CARRIER SHELL I showed you on my last post Carried Away By A Carrier Shell but since I was so excited, I didn’t get to show you the rest of the shells I found. Aren’t the beautiful? It was an amazing day.
But wait, I’ve got a shell pile for you cyber shellers out there! I promise, I did not touch one thing in this pile before I took the next picture. But be careful! If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you might have a little sensory overload. Use caution, please.
OMG I just looked at that photo again! I missed another CONE!!! Did you spot it? TWO cones…. and I just looked again- maybe THREE. I worked this pile a while so I could have gotten it on another swipe but I definitely didn’t get it on the first run. I guess I was gathering every ounce of patience not to pluck this WORMIE, CANDIE and ALPHIE (notice the ultra cuteness clue of the “ie”endings) off the beach so I could take the picture.
So just a few minutes after finding this little seashell honey hole, I found the CARRIER SHELL and had to do a video. I hope you can see some of the other shells in that “troth” (I don’t think I’ve ever called it that before, but it sure did seem like one- LOL).
Oh yeah, something else cool…there was a live four legged BRITTLE STAR in one of the tidal pools.
Carried Away By A Carrier Shell
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Woohoo! I found a huge CARRIER SHELL! I am so tickled to find a whole one and to find one this big is such a bonus. I know, it doesn’t look like a pretty shell but this is the original shell collector. When the mollusk that made this shell was alive, it collected different shells and glued them to its own shell. The original shell crafter!
This one has a few bits and parts of shells, coral and maybe even a rock or two still stuck to it but the fascinating thing is to see the shape of the shell itself. It reminds me of a Christmas tree with only a few ornaments on it so far.
It seems to reason that if this shell did have a few whole shells attached to it at some point, they may have been broken off while tumbling in the surf since I found it high on the beach. Who knows. I love it with its bits and pieces.
I found this yesterday early evening at West Gulf Drive beach access #7. Clark and I went to Gulf Side City Park first and didn’t see many keepers so he wanted to go back to West Gulf. I’m so glad we went!
I may be carried away with all the photos of this CARRIER SHELL but as you can see, this was an exciting find for me. I’m even going to list the “real” scientific name… XENOPHORIDAE. Ha! Don’t ask me how to pronounce that… maybe “zee-no-FOR-id” ?
This next photo is the exact way I found it on the beach. It’s not so easy to spot, right? But maybe this will help you spot one if you even come across one trying to hide.
I was also so happy I found the video I shot from the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show this past March of blue ribbon winner Pat Linn telling us how the CARRIER SHELL attaches other shells to itself while showing her exhibit. Thanks Pat! I can’t wait to see what you have in 2012.
Carrier Shell Collecting Seashells
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Lee and Bill's best finds (Carrier shell in the middle)
I was thrilled to see a CARRIER SHELL (click for more info) found by blog friend Lee and her husband Bill yesterday at South Seas Island Resort. I just haven’t developed the eye for them since they aren’t really the prettiest of seashells. I take that back, I’ve seen pictures of them in books with wentletraps attached and they are stunning! Their other best finds (pictured) were FLATS, NUTMEGS, TURBANS, WORM SHELLS (wormies), JUVENILE HORSE CONCH (candy!), the CARRIER SHELL (right smack in the middle of all of the other shells), an ALPHABET CONE, a FLORIDA CONE and a SHARK’S EYE.
Carrier Shell side view
Lee and Bill found this Carrier Shell around the jetty by Redfish Pass on Captiva.
Carrier shell tilted
Carrier shell bottom
Carrier Shell side
I just had to show you every angle because I think it is so unusual… and it collects other shells just like we do! I had a wonderful time hanging out with Lee and Bill doing a little shelling and sharing our best shelling adventures with each other. They have been coming to the islands to shell for over 30 years so I was tickled to hear their stories. It was such a pleasure!
Lee and Bill (Michigan)
Lee and Bill's shell finds
Doesn’t this piece of CORAL below look like a dog… or horse… or maybe a lion. Funny!
Bill's coral
