Archive for Sunsets
Sanibel Sky Is Feast For The Eyes
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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 …
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).
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.
Then I looked up at the sky when I turned the corner to see the 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…
Then it changed to a deeper purple…
Then to orange…
Although I didn’t collect many shells… the evening was magical with a feast for the eyes.
Sanibel’s Sizzling Summer Shelling
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In the last several weeks, most of our SanCap beaches have been surprisingly sparse for finding The Sanibel Six or any of the larger shells washing up on the shore. The only beach we have been finding good shells like GAUDY NATICAS, LACE MUREXES, NUTMEGS and ALPHABET CONES is Gulfside City Park. Clark found a sweet little mix of those and more (top photo) this weekend at low tide in the evening. Mid days have been sizzling hot but absolutely beautiful with bright blue skies and pretty calm gulf waters.
To avoid the heat in the last week, we have preferred to only go out to the beach in the early evening which just so happens to be low tide anyway. This is the time of day in the summer when the clouds blow in to cool things down and reward us with a few beach treasures like a few of my faves…
While at Gulfside City Park beach I had the pleasure of meeting Josh, Heather, Tiffany and Brian visiting from Ohio and Washington DC. With every beautiful shell Heather and Tiffany collected, they had sweet memories of their grandmother June, who taught them the art of shelling.
June sure taught them well! These are just a few of the beautiful shells they found.
George and Beth from Long Island, NY were making new memories collecting shells with Lauren who already had the art of shelling mastered as well. She knew the names of every shell in their shell bag.
Even the sizzling summer days on Sanibel there are treasures to be found, memories to be made and sights to behold. Clark and I can attest to this… we celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this weekend! Since day one together, beachcombing has been a constant routine in our lives. No matter what, witnessing the strength of the sea and the beauty of the beach always reminds us what is important in life.
Laid Back Low Tide on Sanibel Island
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I always have one of those laid back, “No Problem, Mon” attitudes when I comb the beach during a nice low tide on warm summer evenings on Sanibel Island. It’s the perfect weekend.
There was no shelling frenzy. No racing from beach to beach trying to find a huge shell pile. No disappointment at not finding an ALPHABET CONE… or no deflated feeling of not finding the SANIBEL SIX. It was pure pleasure to stroll the Lighthouse Beach to discover little treasures like this along the way…
Theodore from Michigan felt the same way. He had a huge beach to explore and a handful of minis already in his pocket. Happy (and adorable).
I was already feeling lucky so when I found this CRUCIFIX SHELL, I snapped a photo and left it where I found it so someone else could find the lucky idol.
We also went to Gulfside City Park in the evening this weekend where Clark found these…
I met cuties Sharon and Matt from Connecticut who were feeling the shelling love too.
I also met a Missouri family new to shelling and you can see the happiness on their faces. Here’s Hannah, Danielle, Emily, Tyler, Dave, Danielle and Jeff. Talk about cuties!
There were lots of live OLIVES making trails in the sand but every once in a while, we’d see an empty, glossy gift of goodness right at our feet.
Laid back warm and fuzzies.
Share the laid back feeling with me and enjoy a little unhurried CYBERSHELLING with me. Take your time and I bet you’ll feel a little more laid back with a few warm and fuzzes for your day too.
Happy shelling and enjoy your week!
