The waters surrounding Cayo Costa yesterday on our iLoveShelling Adventure with Captiva Cruises were so calm and crystal clear, we could see all sorts of amazing live creatures like this TWO-SPINED SEA STAR... ... And live LETTERED OLIVES... As well as huge live HORSE CONCHS with several colonies of different hitch hikers making their home. It was shellsational! Sylvia from PA was thrilled to find quite a few empty FALSE ANGEL WINGS. It was an ANGEL WING kind of day! They may not look like much here in this next photo, but trust me... they are very special finds when they have just come out of the water still little dingy and packed with mud with both halves still together. These were only just a few of all the ones we found. It was so cool! Sally, Kathy, Lynda and Mary from MI were some of the lucky ones to have gotten handfuls of them. Lynda also found some other favorites too. Carrie and Valerie (KY) couldn't help but stay in …
Southern Quahog
Cockles, Conchs and Quahogs
After several weeks of east winds, the west winds have finally arrived to drive some shells on to our beaches. Today was only the first day of the westies but since it was a really low tide this morning, I figured I'd find some goodies. It's always a good day when you find an ALPHABET CONE and you've got to see just how darn cute this little juvie HORSE CONCH is... I couldn't believe I found this ANGEL WING sitting in the high wrack line... I love when I find shells like this BANDED TULIP lying on the beach like this. Tonya, Beth and Max from Ohio had their bags filled with all sorts of treasures. Wanna look in their shell bags? I sure wanted to too! COCKLES and CONCHS and CLAMS... Max found this live LIGHTNING WHELK in the high tide wrack line so he walked it down to the water and gently put it in the water. Good for you Max! You helped save this beauty. I found local Sanibel sheller Lynn walking her very happy standard poodle Alexander with a pocket full of seashell …
Collecting Seashells For The Shellebration
After scattered rain showers throughout the day yesterday, the evening was clear enough to enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach to find some live shells.... ...And LOTS of empty shells! We were collecting shells last night to add to our buckets of shells to throw from out "float" to the crowd for the Sanibel 4th of July Parade Shellebration tomorrow! Pat from South Carolina found a really big SHARK'S EYE MOON SNAIL. Along with catching some nice seashells, we even caught a glimpse of a rainbow finally... Enjoy your Independence Day celebrations! …