Sanibel Shell wrack

It was a little overwhelming to see so many shells, STARFISH, HORSESHOE CRABS, SEA URCHINS, PEN SHELLS, CRABS and so much more sea “stuff” littering the beach around Gulf Side City Park (Algier’s) yesterday afternoon. In the picture above, I tried to show you… a) how many great shells were there right together… b) how close to shore those crab trap bouys are… c) just how many other things were washed up together.

Very large wrack line

Look at how many PEN SHELLS and COCKLES!

Hundreds of Sea Urchins

It was unbelievable how many PURPLE SEA URCHINS there were. The same cold front and west winds that blew that JUNONIA into Anthony’s hand, blew all of these URCHINS, other sea life and even the crab traps to shore.

Big Red True Tulip

That was a perfect TRUE TULIP hiding in with other shells.  I got so excited that I found a good shell but then saw he was still alive…. then in a split second was so happy again that he was still alive. I put him back in the water to hopefully live to breed to make more beauties. This sport of shelling is an emotional roller coaster, huh? LOL

Pig's foot on beach

Did you ask what a pig’s foot was doing on the beach? I did too the first time I saw one. Pig’s feet are used as bait to put in crab traps to attract STONE CRABS so if the traps get damaged or open up because of rough seas, the pig’s feet wash up on shore eventually.

Angel Wing on Pen Shells

Every time I find an ANGEL WING, I think of the poem Thoughts From A Shell Collector.

Tzofia, Shelley, Leora, Shira and Jeff (St Louis)

Speaking of angels, look how cute these little girls are.

Dawn from Chicago

Dawn is showing a perfect nine arm MILLIPEDE STARFISH. She was putting as many live critters back in the water as she was putting in her shell bag.

Sunset on shell wrack

After the sun set, the tide was coming back in to take lots of these shells and sea life in this wrack back to the sea.